Il mio vecchio cane non è molto veloce, a volte cammina lentamente.

My old dog is not very fast, sometimes he walks slowly.

Breakdown of Il mio vecchio cane non è molto veloce, a volte cammina lentamente.

• il cane: the dog
• essere: to be
• vecchio: old
• camminare: to walk
• molto: very
• mio: my
• lui: he
• non: not
• veloce: fast
• a volte: sometimes
• lentamente: slowly

Questions & Answers about Il mio vecchio cane non è molto veloce, a volte cammina lentamente.

Why is it "molto veloce" rather than something like "tanto veloce"?

In Italian, "molto" can mean both very and a lot. Using "molto veloce" highlights the degree to which something is fast. "Tanto" can also mean very, but it is less common in this construction. It is more often used to mean so much or so many.

Why is the adjective "vecchio" placed before "cane"? Would saying "il mio cane vecchio" sound different?

Generally, adjectives can go before or after the noun in Italian, but the placement can sometimes change the nuance. "Il mio vecchio cane" emphasizes affection and familiarity with an old companion, while "il mio cane vecchio" focuses more literally on the dog’s age. Both are grammatically correct.

Can I just say "Il mio vecchio cane non è veloce" without "molto"?

Yes, you can. Saying "Il mio vecchio cane non è veloce" simply means My old dog is not fast. Adding "molto" conveys that he’s not very fast. It emphasizes the level of slowness.

What is the difference between "lento" and "lentamente"?

"Lento" is an adjective meaning slow, describing a noun: e.g., "un cane lento" (a slow dog). "Lentamente" is an adverb meaning slowly, describing how an action is performed: e.g., "cammina lentamente" (he walks slowly).

Why do we use "cammina" here instead of another verb?

"Camminare" specifically means to walk. If you wanted to say to run, you’d use "correre". If you wanted to move, you might say "muoversi". In this sentence, "cammina" is appropriate because you’re describing how the dog walks slowly.