Ho bisogno di acqua ora.

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Breakdown of Ho bisogno di acqua ora.

• l'acqua: the water
• ora: now
• avere bisogno di: to need

Questions & Answers about Ho bisogno di acqua ora.

Why does the sentence say Ho bisogno di acqua instead of just Ho bisogno acqua?

In Italian, the expression Ho bisogno di (literally "I have need of") is a set construction, and the preposition di is necessary to link the object of the need. If you omit di, the sentence would sound incomplete or incorrect.

Why is the verb avere (to have) used here, rather than a verb meaning "to need"?

Italian commonly expresses "need" through the phrase Ho bisogno di, which literally translates to "I have need of." While English uses the verb "to need," Italian relies on the structure with avere + bisogno.

What does ora imply in this sentence, and can I replace it with adesso?

Ora is simply the Italian word for "now," implying immediacy or urgency. You can usually replace ora with adesso, with no change in meaning—both tell the listener that you need water right away.

Does acqua always refer to drinking water, or can it have other meanings?

Acqua generally means "water" in any context. By default, it often implies drinking water, but it can also refer to water in streams, lakes, or any other context depending on the situation.

Is there any special pronunciation rule I should pay attention to when saying Ho bisogno di acqua ora?

Be mindful of the liaison-like effect between di and acqua. Italians may slightly blend the sounds, saying something like "diacqua." Other than that, maintain the clear vowel sounds typical of Italian and stress the "o" in bisogno (bee-ZO-nyo).