36

Infinitives

In Italian, the infinitive may stand alone or be preceded by a preposition. In most cases, the infinitive is translated by the English infinitive (Dobbiamo lavorare. — We have to work.). In some cases, however, the Italian infinitive must be translated by the English participle ending in –ing or the verbal noun ending in –ing.

Facciamolo prima di partire. — Let’s do it before leaving.

Il fumare fa male alla salute. — Smoking is bad for the health.

Vedere è credere. — Seeing is believing.


VOCABULARY A

accennare
to point out
anello
ring
avrebbe
would have, is supposed to have (3d. sing. cond. avere)
cadere
to fall
cima
summit, top
dinanzi a
before
doveva
had to (3d. sing. impf. dovere)
elencare = enumerare
eppur (eppure)
yet, still, nevertheless
esporre
to expose; to expound  (conj. like porre)
favella
speech, talk
giovinetta
young girl
incanto
charm
macchia
spot, stain
massimo
greatest; highest; best
muoversi
to move
pendent
leaning
peso
weight
pianeta (m.)
planet (plural –i)
possiamo
we can, we may (1st. pl. pres. potere)
processo
trial
promuovere
to promote
sanno
know (inf. sapere)
scoprire
to discover, to uncover (cf. scoperta, discovery)
sguardo
look
sole (m.)
sun
soltanto
only
sostenere
to support; to maintain

VOCABULARY B

bisognare
it is necessary to, one must
 cent’anni = cento anni dicemmo
we said (1st. pl. past abs. dire)
dubbio
doubt
indirizzo
direction; address
ingegno
mind, intellect; genius
oltre a
in addition to, besides
pasta
pastry, dough; paste (also: pasta)
valgono
are worth (morally, in this case) (3d. sing. pres. subj., valere)
vanti
boasts of (3d. sing. pres. subj., vantare)

 

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Italian for Reading & Translation Copyright © by Lauren Surovi and Carleton W. Carroll. All Rights Reserved.

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