Purtroppo una nuvola grigia copre il sole, quindi c’è meno luce.

Unfortunately a grey cloud covers the sun, so there is less light.

Breakdown of Purtroppo una nuvola grigia copre il sole, quindi c’è meno luce.

• essere: to be
• la luce: the light
• quindi: so
• coprire: to cover
• il sole: the sun
• la nuvola: the cloud
• purtroppo: unfortunately
• grigio: grey
• meno: less

Questions & Answers about Purtroppo una nuvola grigia copre il sole, quindi c’è meno luce.

What does Purtroppo mean in this sentence, and what role does it play?

Purtroppo means "unfortunately" in English. It sets the tone by expressing regret or misfortune, indicating that what follows—namely, the grey cloud covering the sun—is an undesirable situation.

Why is the adjective grigia placed after the noun nuvola instead of before it?

In Italian, adjectives can be placed either before or after the noun. When the adjective follows the noun—as in nuvola grigia—it typically serves a descriptive role, emphasizing an inherent quality of the noun. This word order is common in Italian and is comparable to saying "a grey cloud" in English.

What does the verb copre mean, and why is it used in the present tense here?

Copre is the present tense form of the verb coprire, meaning "covers" in English. The use of the present tense indicates that the action is occurring right now, describing the current situation where the grey cloud is actively covering the sun.

How does the conjunction quindi function in the sentence, and what is its English equivalent?

Quindi acts as a connector that shows a cause-and-effect relationship between the two parts of the sentence. It translates roughly to "so" or "therefore" in English, linking the fact that the cloud covers the sun to the resulting decrease in light.

What is the meaning of c’è in the expression "c’è meno luce", and why is it contracted?

C’è is a contraction of ci è, which means "there is" in English. Contractions like this are common in Italian to make speech and writing more fluid and natural. In this context, c’è meno luce explains that there is less light because of the cloud.

Why is the phrase "meno luce" used to describe the situation, and what does it convey?

The phrase "meno luce" translates to "less light" in English. It quantitatively describes the reduction in the amount of light reaching the area due to the grey cloud covering the sun—emphasizing that the brightness is diminished as a result.

Why does the sentence use the indefinite article una with nuvola but the definite article il with sole?

Una nuvola uses the indefinite article because it refers to a grey cloud—not a specific one already known to the listener. In contrast, il sole employs the definite article because the sun is a unique and universally recognized object. This distinction clarifies that while there might be many clouds, the sun is the one and only sun that is being obscured.