Italian prepositions

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Italian prepositions

I guess prepositions are one of the most difficult grammar aspect of Italian, but I'll show you some of them.

1. DI

- from: to express possession
example: Il libro è di Paolo. The book is from Paolo.
- from, off: sort of material
example: La maglietta è di cotone. The th-shirt is made from cotton.
- about: subject
example: Leggo un libro di storia. I read a historybook (a book about history).

2. A

- in: place, only with city's!
example: Siamo a Firenze. We are in Florence.
- to: direction, only with city's
example: Stasera ritorno a Napoli. This evening I go back to Naples.
- to: certain person
example: Anna dà il libro a Paolo. Anna gives the book to Paolo.
- at, -: place
example: Sono a casa e il mio amico è a scuola. I'm home and my friend is at school.
- at: time indication
example: Il supermercato chiude a mezzogiorno. The supermarket closes at midday.

3. DA

- away, go out: place
example: Parto da Roma. I departe from Rome.
- since: time indication
example: Vivo a Roma da due anni. I live in Rome since two years.
- with: person
example: Ho un appuntamento dal medico. I have an appointment with the doctor.

4. IN

- in: place, only with country's!
example: Ho una casa in Italia. I have a house in Italy
- to: direction, only with country's!
example: Vado in Italia. I go to Italy.
- in: a way of doing something
example: Studio in silenzio. I study silently (in silence).

Exceptions

- Di becomes d', when it stands right before a vowel.
example: una poesia d'amore. a love poem
- expressions, who are very common & don't normally change
examples: a casa = at home, a scuola = at, on the way to, school, in giardino = in the garden, in italiano = in italian, a tavola = on table, a letto = in bed,...