Aspetto alla stazione per prendere l’autobus.

I wait at the station to take the bus.

Breakdown of Aspetto alla stazione per prendere l’autobus.

• io: I
• prendere: to take
• l'autobus: the bus
• aspettare: to wait
• la stazione: the station

Questions & Answers about Aspetto alla stazione per prendere l’autobus.

Why do we use alla stazione instead of something like in stazione?

In Italian, alla stazione highlights that you are at the station in a more general or specific sense (like in front of it or in its vicinity). Saying in stazione can sound more like you are inside the building. Both can be correct in different contexts, but alla stazione is often a more common way to say you are waiting at the station.

Why is per prendere used here with the infinitive?

Per + infinitive in Italian is a common construction to express purpose. So per prendere l’autobus means in order to take the bus. It clarifies why you are at the station: you’re waiting there with the purpose of catching the bus.

Could I omit per and say Aspetto alla stazione prendere l’autobus?

No. Italian usually needs per to link aspettare and the action of taking the bus when indicating purpose. Leaving it out would make the sentence sound incomplete or grammatically incorrect.

How do I translate Aspetto into English, and is it always followed by per?

Aspetto translates as I wait or I am waiting. If you simply say Aspetto l’autobus, it means I’m waiting for the bus. You only add per when you need to explain the reason or purpose (e.g., Aspetto alla stazione per prendere l’autobus).

Why do we use l’autobus and not just autobus?

Italian requires the definite article l’ before nouns when we’re talking about something specific, like the bus you plan to catch. If you just said autobus, it would sound more generic. Using l’autobus makes it clear which bus you’re waiting for.