Learn Hardcore Italian: La porta è grande.

Porta is a feminine noun in Italian, and it takes the feminine definite article la. Italian nouns have genders that are not always intuitive, so you simply learn each noun’s gender (masculine or feminine) with practice.

Is “porta” always feminine, or can it ever be masculine?

In standard Italian, porta is always feminine. There are other nouns for doors or openings (like portone, often referring to a large main door) that are masculine, but porta itself is feminine.

Why is the adjective “grande” the same in both masculine and feminine forms?

Some Italian adjectives, including grande, have the same form for both masculine and feminine singular. In the plural, it becomes grandi for both genders.

Why does the adjective come after the noun in this sentence?

In Italian, adjectives often follow the noun they modify (e.g., la porta grande). Certain adjectives can come before or after the noun, but in many cases, placing the adjective after the noun is the most neutral and common position.

Can we use other adjectives to say a door is big in Italian?

Yes. You can say enorme (“enormous”), ampia (“wide or spacious”), or maestosa (“majestic,” though more figurative). The choice depends on nuance and context.