Possiamo noleggiare anche una bici se il viaggio è breve.

to be

Breakdown of Possiamo noleggiare anche una bici se il viaggio è breve.

• se: if
• noi: we
• potere: to be able
• anche: also
• noleggiare: to rent
• il viaggio: the trip
• la bici: the bike
• breve: short

Questions & Answers about Possiamo noleggiare anche una bici se il viaggio è breve.

What does the word possiamo translate to in English?

Possiamo is the first-person plural present tense of the verb potere, which means "to be able to" or "can." So, it translates as "we can" in English.

What is the meaning of noleggiare in this context?

Noleggiare means "to rent" or "to hire." In this sentence, it refers to renting a bike, making it clear that the option of renting is available.

Why is the word anche used before una bici and where can it typically be placed in an Italian sentence?

Anche means "also" or "too." Placing it before una bici emphasizes that renting a bike is an additional option. In Italian, anche can sometimes be positioned before or after the verb, but in this sentence its placement specifically underscores the extra possibility of renting a bike.

What does the phrase se il viaggio è breve mean, and how is it functioning in this sentence?

The phrase se il viaggio è breve translates to "if the trip is short." It’s a conditional clause that sets a condition for renting the bike—suggesting that renting a bike is a good option when the journey is short.

How does the structure of this Italian sentence compare to its English equivalent?

The structure is quite similar. The sentence follows an order where the modal verb (possiamo) is followed by an infinitive (noleggiare) and then the object (una bici) with a conditional clause at the end (se il viaggio è breve). This mirrors the English sentence "We can also rent a bike if the trip is short," making it easier to understand for learners familiar with English sentence patterns.

Why is the definite article il used in il viaggio?

In Italian, the definite article il is commonly used with nouns like viaggio when referring to a specific or contextual concept, much like saying "the trip" in English. It implies that the trip is a known or defined scenario within the conversation or context.