The English preposition "to" is one of the most frequently used words in the language, serving multiple grammatical functions. In Italian, "to" is primarily translated as a, but can also be verso (towards), per (for/to), in (to/into), or da (to someone's place), depending on the context. This lesson will help you master these various Italian equivalents through carefully structured examples that progress from simple to more complex usage.
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FAQ Schema Question: What does "to" mean in Italian? Answer: The English word "to" is most commonly translated as "a" in Italian, but can also be "verso" (towards), "per" (for/to), "in" (to/into), or "da" (to someone's place), depending on the specific context and meaning.
Educational Schema Course: Italian for English Speakers Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Preposition "to" and its Italian equivalents Type: Self-study language learning material Format: Interlinear glossed text with grammar explanations
In this lesson, you will encounter "to" used in various contexts: indicating direction (going to a place), indirect objects (giving something to someone), purpose (to do something), and time expressions (quarter to five). Each usage requires careful attention to select the appropriate Italian preposition.
Key Takeaways: -
"a" is the most common Italian translation for "to" -
Direction uses "a" with cities, "in" with countries -
"da" means "to someone's place/business" -
"per" expresses purpose (in order to) -
"verso" indicates approximate direction or time -
Italian often contracts "a" with definite articles
12.1 Vado I-go a to Roma Rome domani tomorrow
12.2 Maria Maria dà gives il the libro book a to sua her sorella sister
12.3 Dobbiamo we-must andare go dal to-the dottore doctor oggi today
12.4 Il the treno train arriva arrives alle to-the cinque five meno less un a quarto quarter
12.5 Porto I-bring i the bambini children a to scuola school ogni every mattina morning
12.6 Lui he cammina walks verso to il the parco park lentamente slowly
12.7 Ho I-have scritto written una a lettera letter al to-the sindaco mayor
12.8 Andiamo we-go in to Francia France per for le the vacanze holidays
12.9 Studio I-study italiano Italian per to parlare speak con with i the miei my nonni grandparents
12.10 La the strada road porta leads alla to-the piazza square principale main
12.11 Mando I-send un a regalo gift a to mio my cugino cousin per for Natale Christmas
12.12 Sono I-am andato gone da to Marco Marco ieri yesterday sera evening
12.13 Il the professore professor spiega explains la the lezione lesson agli to-the studenti students
12.14 Viaggiamo we-travel da from Milano Milan a to Napoli Naples in in aereo airplane
12.15 Devo I-must parlare speak a to te you urgentemente urgently
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12.1 Vado a Roma domani. I'm going to Rome tomorrow.
12.2 Maria dà il libro a sua sorella. Maria gives the book to her sister.
12.3 Dobbiamo andare dal dottore oggi. We must go to the doctor today.
12.4 Il treno arriva alle cinque meno un quarto. The train arrives at quarter to five.
12.5 Porto i bambini a scuola ogni mattina. I take the children to school every morning.
12.6 Lui cammina verso il parco lentamente. He walks slowly towards the park.
12.7 Ho scritto una lettera al sindaco. I wrote a letter to the mayor.
12.8 Andiamo in Francia per le vacanze. We're going to France for the holidays.
12.9 Studio italiano per parlare con i miei nonni. I study Italian to speak with my grandparents.
12.10 La strada porta alla piazza principale. The road leads to the main square.
12.11 Mando un regalo a mio cugino per Natale. I'm sending a gift to my cousin for Christmas.
12.12 Sono andato da Marco ieri sera. I went to Marco's place yesterday evening.
12.13 Il professore spiega la lezione agli studenti. The professor explains the lesson to the students.
12.14 Viaggiamo da Milano a Napoli in aereo. We travel from Milan to Naples by plane.
12.15 Devo parlare a te urgentemente. I must speak to you urgently.
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12.1 Vado a Roma domani.
12.2 Maria dà il libro a sua sorella.
12.3 Dobbiamo andare dal dottore oggi.
12.4 Il treno arriva alle cinque meno un quarto.
12.5 Porto i bambini a scuola ogni mattina.
12.6 Lui cammina verso il parco lentamente.
12.7 Ho scritto una lettera al sindaco.
12.8 Andiamo in Francia per le vacanze.
12.9 Studio italiano per parlare con i miei nonni.
12.10 La strada porta alla piazza principale.
12.11 Mando un regalo a mio cugino per Natale.
12.12 Sono andato da Marco ieri sera.
12.13 Il professore spiega la lezione agli studenti.
12.14 Viaggiamo da Milano a Napoli in aereo.
12.15 Devo parlare a te urgentemente.
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Grammar Rules for "to" in Italian:
The English preposition "to" has several Italian equivalents, each with specific uses:
1. "A" - The Primary Translation -
Used for movement to cities: vado a Roma (I go to Rome) -
Used for indirect objects: do il libro a Maria (I give the book to Maria) -
Used with certain verbs: parlare a (to speak to), scrivere a (to write to) -
Contracts with definite articles: a + il = al, a + lo = allo, a + la = alla, a + i = ai, a + gli = agli, a + le = alle
2. "In" - For Countries and Regions -
Used with countries: vado in Italia (I go to Italy) -
Used with regions: viaggio in Toscana (I travel to Tuscany) -
Exception: masculine countries beginning with consonants use "nel": nel Belgio (to Belgium)
3. "Da" - To Someone's Place -
Indicates going to someone's home/office: vado da Maria (I go to Maria's place) -
Used with professions: vado dal dottore (I go to the doctor's) -
Contracts like "a": da + il = dal, da + la = dalla, etc.
4. "Per" - Purpose (In Order To) -
Expresses purpose with infinitives: studio per imparare (I study to learn) -
Similar to English "in order to"
5. "Verso" - Towards/Approximately -
Direction: cammino verso il mare (I walk towards the sea) -
Approximate time: verso le tre (towards three o'clock)
Common Mistakes: -
Using "a" with countries (incorrect: a Francia) - use "in Francia" -
Forgetting contractions (incorrect: a il) - use "al" -
Using "a" for someone's place (incorrect: vado a Giovanni) - use "vado da Giovanni" -
Translating "to" before infinitives (incorrect: voglio a mangiare) - simply use "voglio mangiare"
Step-by-Step Guide for Choosing the Right Preposition: -
Is it movement to a city? → Use "a" -
Is it movement to a country? → Use "in" -
Is it to someone's home/business? → Use "da" -
Is it expressing purpose? → Use "per" -
Is it approximate direction/time? → Use "verso" -
Is it an indirect object? → Use "a"
Grammatical Summary: Unlike English which uses one word "to" for multiple functions, Italian requires you to choose between several prepositions based on the specific context. The most common is "a", which covers most directional and indirect object uses. Remember that Italian prepositions often contract with definite articles, creating forms that may look unfamiliar at first but follow predictable patterns.
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Understanding how to use "to" in Italian requires appreciating some cultural differences in how Italians conceptualize movement and relationships. When Italians say "vado da Maria" (literally "I go from Maria"), they're not thinking about leaving Maria, but rather going to where Maria is - her sphere of influence, her home, her space. This reflects a more personal, relationship-centered view of space.
The distinction between using "a" for cities and "in" for countries reflects historical perspectives. Cities were seen as specific points (a Roma), while countries were viewed as spaces you enter into (in Italia). This distinction remains firmly embedded in modern Italian.
In social contexts, knowing when to use "dal dottore" versus "al dottore" can be important. "Vado dal dottore" means you're going to the doctor's office for an appointment, while "parlo al dottore" means you're speaking to the doctor. The choice of preposition signals different types of interaction.
Italian speakers also use these prepositions to express subtle social nuances. "Vengo da te" (I'm coming to your place) sounds more intimate and friendly than "vengo alla tua casa" (I'm coming to your house), which sounds formal or even cold. Understanding these nuances helps in navigating Italian social situations appropriately.
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From "Le città invisibili" by Italo Calvino (1972):
"Marco Polo descrive un ponte, pietra per pietra. - Ma qual è la pietra che sostiene il ponte? - chiede Kublai Kan. - Il ponte non è sostenuto da questa o quella pietra, - risponde Marco, - ma dalla linea dell'arco che esse formano."
Marco Marco Polo Polo descrive describes un a ponte bridge pietra stone per by pietra stone Ma But qual which è is la the pietra stone che that sostiene supports il the ponte bridge chiede asks Kublai Kublai Kan Khan Il The ponte bridge non not è is sostenuto supported da by questa this o or quella that pietra stone risponde answers Marco Marco ma but dalla by-the linea line dell' of-the arco arch che that esse they formano form
"Marco Polo descrive un ponte, pietra per pietra. - Ma qual è la pietra che sostiene il ponte? - chiede Kublai Kan. - Il ponte non è sostenuto da questa o quella pietra, - risponde Marco, - ma dalla linea dell'arco che esse formano."
"Marco Polo describes a bridge, stone by stone. 'But which is the stone that supports the bridge?' asks Kublai Khan. 'The bridge is not supported by this or that stone,' Marco answers, 'but by the line of the arch that they form.'"
This passage from Calvino's "Invisible Cities" uses prepositions masterfully to explore relationships between parts and wholes. The preposition "da" (by) appears in "sostenuto da" (supported by), showing agency. The phrase "pietra per pietra" (stone by stone) uses "per" to indicate a methodical progression, similar to English "piece by piece."
-
"per" in "pietra per pietra" expresses distribution (stone by stone) -
"da" in "sostenuto da" indicates the agent of passive voice -
"dalla" (da + la) shows the contraction in "dalla linea" -
The passage demonstrates how Italian prepositions create relationships between objects and concepts
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12.16 Domani tomorrow mattina morning partiamo we-leave presto early per to andare go all' to-the aeroporto airport
12.17 Il the nostro our volo flight va goes direttamente directly a to Venezia Venice senza without scali stops
12.18 Dall' from-the aeroporto airport prendiamo we-take un a taxi taxi per to arrivare arrive al to-the nostro our hotel hotel
12.19 L' the albergo hotel è is vicino near al to-the Canal Canal Grande Grande proprio right accanto next al to-the Ponte Bridge di of Rialto Rialto
12.20 Dopo after pranzo lunch vogliamo we-want andare go a to San Saint Marco Mark per to vedere see la the basilica basilica
12.21 Ho I-have comprato bought i the biglietti tickets online online per to entrare enter al to-the Palazzo Palace Ducale Ducal
12.22 Stasera tonight andiamo we-go da to amici friends veneziani Venetian per for cena dinner
12.23 Loro they abitano live vicino near alla to-the stazione station ferroviaria railway in in una a casa house antica ancient
12.24 Domani tomorrow facciamo we-make una a gita trip in to barca boat alle to-the isole islands della of-the laguna lagoon
12.25 Prima first andiamo we-go a to Murano Murano per to visitare visit le the vetrerie glassworks
12.26 Poi then proseguiamo we-continue verso to Burano Burano famosa famous per for i the merletti lace
12.27 Il the traghetto ferry ci us porta brings da from un' an isola island all' to-the altra other in in mezz' half ora hour
12.28 Torniamo we-return al to-the porto port principale main verso towards le the sei six di of sera evening
12.29 L' the ultimo last giorno day dedichiamo we-dedicate la the mattinata morning alle to-the Gallerie Galleries dell' of-the Accademia Academy
12.30 Infine finally prendiamo we-take il the treno train per to tornare return a to casa home stanchi tired ma but felici happy
12.16 Domani mattina partiamo presto per andare all'aeroporto. Tomorrow morning we're leaving early to go to the airport.
12.17 Il nostro volo va direttamente a Venezia senza scali. Our flight goes directly to Venice without stops.
12.18 Dall'aeroporto prendiamo un taxi per arrivare al nostro hotel. From the airport we're taking a taxi to get to our hotel.
12.19 L'albergo è vicino al Canal Grande proprio accanto al Ponte di Rialto. The hotel is near the Grand Canal right next to the Rialto Bridge.
12.20 Dopo pranzo vogliamo andare a San Marco per vedere la basilica. After lunch we want to go to San Marco to see the basilica.
12.21 Ho comprato i biglietti online per entrare al Palazzo Ducale. I bought tickets online to enter the Doge's Palace.
12.22 Stasera andiamo da amici veneziani per cena. Tonight we're going to Venetian friends for dinner.
12.23 Loro abitano vicino alla stazione ferroviaria in una casa antica. They live near the railway station in an old house.
12.24 Domani facciamo una gita in barca alle isole della laguna. Tomorrow we're taking a boat trip to the islands of the lagoon.
12.25 Prima andiamo a Murano per visitare le vetrerie. First we're going to Murano to visit the glassworks.
12.26 Poi proseguiamo verso Burano famosa per i merletti. Then we continue towards Burano, famous for lace.
12.27 Il traghetto ci porta da un'isola all'altra in mezz'ora. The ferry takes us from one island to another in half an hour.
12.28 Torniamo al porto principale verso le sei di sera. We return to the main port around six in the evening.
12.29 L'ultimo giorno dedichiamo la mattinata alle Gallerie dell'Accademia. On the last day we're dedicating the morning to the Accademia Galleries.
12.30 Infine prendiamo il treno per tornare a casa stanchi ma felici. Finally we take the train to return home tired but happy.
12.16 Domani mattina partiamo presto per andare all'aeroporto.
12.17 Il nostro volo va direttamente a Venezia senza scali.
12.18 Dall'aeroporto prendiamo un taxi per arrivare al nostro hotel.
12.19 L'albergo è vicino al Canal Grande proprio accanto al Ponte di Rialto.
12.20 Dopo pranzo vogliamo andare a San Marco per vedere la basilica.
12.21 Ho comprato i biglietti online per entrare al Palazzo Ducale.
12.22 Stasera andiamo da amici veneziani per cena.
12.23 Loro abitano vicino alla stazione ferroviaria in una casa antica.
12.24 Domani facciamo una gita in barca alle isole della laguna.
12.25 Prima andiamo a Murano per visitare le vetrerie.
12.26 Poi proseguiamo verso Burano famosa per i merletti.
12.27 Il traghetto ci porta da un'isola all'altra in mezz'ora.
12.28 Torniamo al porto principale verso le sei di sera.
12.29 L'ultimo giorno dedichiamo la mattinata alle Gallerie dell'Accademia.
12.30 Infine prendiamo il treno per tornare a casa stanchi ma felici.
Travel-Specific Uses of "to" in Italian:
In travel contexts, the various Italian equivalents of "to" follow specific patterns:
Movement Between Places: -
Cities always use "a": a Venezia, a Roma, a Milano -
Small islands follow city rules: a Murano, a Capri -
"Da...a" expresses from...to: da Milano a Napoli -
"All'" (a + il/la) with specific locations: all'aeroporto, all'hotel
Purpose in Travel: -
"Per" + infinitive expresses purpose: per vedere (to see), per visitare (to visit) -
"Per" also means "in order to arrive": per arrivare
Time Expressions: -
"Verso" for approximate times: verso le sei (around six) -
"Alle" for exact times: alle tre (at three)
Going to People: -
"Da" for visiting people: andiamo da amici (we're going to friends' place) -
Never "a" for people's homes
Common Travel Phrases: -
andare a + city (to go to a city) -
andare in + country (to go to a country) -
andare da + person (to go to someone's place) -
andare al/alla + specific place (to go to the specific place) -
partire per + destination (to leave for) -
arrivare a + destination (to arrive at)
Special Contractions in Travel Context: -
dall'aeroporto (from the airport) -
all'hotel (to the hotel) -
alle isole (to the islands) -
dal porto (from the port)
Common Mistakes in Travel Italian: -
Saying "a Italia" instead of "in Italia" -
Using "a" instead of "da" for people: "vado a Marco" (incorrect) -
Forgetting contractions: "a il museo" instead of "al museo" -
Using "in" with cities: "in Roma" (incorrect except in rare poetic usage)
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