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Meanings of da

In addition to the meanings noted in the preceding section (for, since), the preposition da may have any of the following meanings:

from / Viene da Roma. — He comes from Rome.

by / È ammirato da tutti. — He is admired by all.

as, like / Combatté da eroe. — He fought like a hero.

with / Conosci il medico dalla barba lunga? — Do you know the doctor with the long beard?

at or to the home [office, shop, etc.] of, at or to the place associated with, etc. / È andata dal medico. — She went to the doctor’s (office). 

on / da un lato, da una parte — on the one hand, on one side

dall’altro lato, dall’altra parte — on the other hand, on the other side

Furthermore, before an infinitive, da may mean “to” or “something to,” or may express duty or necessity.

Che c’è da mangiare? — What is there to eat?

Dategli da bere. — Give him something to drink.

Ho molto da fare. — I have a lot to do.

Ho da scrivere a casa. — I have [something] to write home.

VOCABULARY A

VOCABULARY B