Io accendo la luce.

I turn on the light.

Breakdown of Io accendo la luce.

• io: I
• la luce: the light
• accendere: to turn on

Questions & Answers about Io accendo la luce.

What does the sentence “Io accendo la luce” mean word-for-word?

“Io” means I, “accendo” is the first person singular present tense of accendere (to turn on), and “la luce” means the light. So, the sentence translates to I turn on the light.

Why is the subject pronoun “Io” included even though the verb form “accendo” already indicates the subject?

In Italian, verb conjugations reveal the subject (making explicit pronouns often unnecessary). However, using “Io” can add emphasis, ensure clarity, or contrast the subject with others. It’s often a stylistic choice.

What is the base form of the verb “accendo,” and how is it conjugated in this sentence?

The verb accendo comes from the infinitive accendere, which means to turn on or to light. In this sentence, it is conjugated in the first person singular present tense, corresponding to I turn on.

Why is the definite article “la” used before “luce,” and what does it indicate about the noun?

“Luce” is a feminine noun in Italian, so it takes the feminine singular definite article la. This pairing indicates that the speaker is referring to a specific light, just as “the light” does in English.

Is the sentence structure “subject + verb + object” typical in Italian, and are there alternative word orders?

Yes, the structure subject + verb + object is conventional in Italian, mirroring the standard English order. While Italian does allow variations for emphasis or stylistic reasons, this structure is ideal for clear and direct statements.

How would you form a negative version of “Io accendo la luce”?

To negate the sentence, place the word non before the verb. The negative sentence becomes Io non accendo la luce, which means I do not turn on the light.