Apprezzo l'aiuto del mio amico, soprattutto nei momenti difficili.

I appreciate my friend's help, especially in difficult times.

Breakdown of Apprezzo l'aiuto del mio amico, soprattutto nei momenti difficili.

• io: I
• di: of
• l'amico: the friend
• mio: my
• l'aiuto: the help
• difficile: difficult
• il momento: the moment
• soprattutto: especially
• apprezzare: to appreciate

Questions & Answers about Apprezzo l'aiuto del mio amico, soprattutto nei momenti difficili.

Why is the definite article written as l’ before aiuto in l’aiuto?

In Italian, when a masculine singular noun starts with a vowel (such as aiuto), the definite article il becomes l’ for easier pronunciation. So you see l’aiuto instead of il aiuto.

Why do we use del mio amico instead of just di mio amico?

The word del is a contraction of di + il. Since amico is masculine and singular, you need the article il (becoming del when combined with di). Then you add the possessive adjective mio in front of amico, resulting in del mio amico.

How does soprattutto function in this sentence?

Soprattutto means above all or especially. It’s used as an adverb that emphasizes the importance of what follows. In this sentence, it stresses that the speaker appreciates their friend’s help particularly in difficult times.

Why is the preposition in combined with the article i to form nei in nei momenti difficili?

In Italian, in + i contracts to nei. Here, the noun momenti is plural and requires the article i, so in i momenti difficili becomes nei momenti difficili.

Is apprezzo in the present tense in Italian the same as using I appreciate in English?

Yes, apprezzo is the first-person present tense form of apprezzare (meaning to appreciate). It corresponds directly to I appreciate in English. The present tense in Italian often translates to the simple present tense in English.