Corro nella strada.

I run in the street.

Breakdown of Corro nella strada.

• io: I
• correre: to run
• la strada: the street
• nella: in

Questions & Answers about Corro nella strada.

Why do we use nella instead of saying in la strada?

In Italian, the preposition in often contracts with the definite article la to become nella. Specifically, in + la = nella. This contraction is a common feature of Italian, ensuring smoother pronunciation and a more natural flow.

Can we replace nella with per and say Corro per la strada?

Yes, it is possible, but it slightly changes the nuance. Corro per la strada can sound more like I run along the street or I run on the street, focusing on direction or movement along it. Corro nella strada can be heard as I run in/inside the street, emphasizing location rather than direction.

How does strada differ from via in Italian?

Although both can translate as street in English, strada often refers to a road in a broader sense (including country roads or highways), whereas via is commonly used for named streets in towns or cities. For example, Via Garibaldi is a named street in a city, whereas strada provinciale might be a provincial route outside a city.

When should I use nella rather than sulla for talking about being in or on the street?

Use nella when you want to emphasize being inside the space of the street, surrounded by it (e.g., running in the middle of the street or being physically within it). Choose sulla for describing something on the surface or top of the street (e.g., Sulla strada c’è un ostacolo, There is an obstacle on the street). The choice depends on how you want to convey your position relative to the street.

Is Corro nella strada acceptable in all contexts?

It is grammatically correct, but in everyday conversation, some speakers might say Corro per strada instead, especially if they mean I’m running along the street. Still, Corro nella strada is perfectly valid to indicate you are physically in the street space.