Grammar, spelling, and usage
Italian Preposition Di
The Italian preposition di means "of" in English. It is used in the following cases:
1. To indicate possession:
il libro di Maria (Maria's book)
2. To indicate what an object is made of:
il tavolo di legno (wooden table)
3. To indicate origin using the verb essere + di + nome di città (name of the city):
Elisa è di Napoli. (Elisa is from Napoli.)
4. The preposition di is used with certain verbs and adjectives:
Accorgersi di qualcosa (to notice something)
5. The preposition di is found in many particular grammatical constructions:
di sera (during the evening)
Newsletter
Printer–Friendly Version
la padella del cuoco (the cook's pan)
la casa dello zio (the uncle's house)
la spada di metallo (metal knife)
la medaglia di bronzo (bronze medal)
Maurizio è di Prato. (Maurizio is from Prato.)
I Rossi sono di Catania. (The Rossis are from Catania.)
Innamorarsi di qualcuno (to be in love with someone)
Malato di una malattia (ill with a sickness)
Vergognarsi di qualcosa (to be ashamed by something)
di notte (at night)
d'estate (during the summer)
un uomo di mezza età (a man of middle age)
Italian Language Study Resources Language Lessons: Italian grammar, spelling, and usage. Audio Phrasebook: Improve your pronunciation and build your vocabulary. Workbook Exercises: Worksheets, drills, activities, and review. Buon Divertimento: Italian jokes, riddles, and puns. Italian Verbs: Formation, moods, tenses, and table of conjugations. Study Guides: Challenge your skills and test your knowledge of various topics. Audio Lab: Word of the day, survival phrases, ABC's, numbers, and conversation.
