Italian Language Lessons
Grammar, spelling, and usage
Use of Italian Definite Articles with Possessive Adjectives
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Mom and dad, your brothers and sisters, grandpa and your Aunt Millie. They're all special people, and so there's a rule just for them. In the plural form, the Italian definite article will appear before the Italian possessive adjective that refers to a family member or relative. For example, instead of saying "my brothers," you are literally saying "the my brothers."
The table below contains other examples:
| USE OF ITALIAN DEFINITE ARTICLES WITH POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES |
|---|
| Mio fratello è carino. | (My brother is cute.) |
| I miei fratelli sono carini. | (My brothers are cute) |
| Questo è tuo zio. | (This is your uncle) |
| Questi sono i tuoi zii. | (These are your uncles.) |
| Mia nonna è vecchia. | (My grandmother is old.) |
| Le mie nonne sono vecche. | (My grandmothers are old.) |
| Mio cugino è straordinario. | (My cousin is exceptional.) |
| I miei cugini sono straordinari. | (My cousins are exceptional.) |
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