🇮🇹 Italian
Italiano • Latin
Word order: what’s normal (and how to sound natural)
Understand the default word order and a simple strategy to avoid ‘translation‑English’.
The key idea
Italian is usually SVO. Subject pronouns are often omitted because the verb ending shows the subject.
- Memorize patterns (whole sentences), not just single words.
- When you change the meaning, keep the grammar skeleton the same.
- If word order is flexible, use ‘neutral’ order first — emphasis comes later.
Sono qui.
I am here.
Vorrei dell'acqua.
I would like some water.
Non capisco.
I don't understand.
Parli inglese?
Do you speak English? (informal)
Dov'è il bagno?
Where is the bathroom?
Questo è il mio amico.
This is my friend.
Tiny practice routine
Pick one sentence and create 5 variations. Example: ‘I want water’ → water/coffee/tea/ticket/help.
- Speak each variation out loud.
- Record yourself and compare rhythm.
Mini‑quiz
Mini-quiz
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Typical word order for this language is closest to…