…
Breakdown of Ci vogliono venti minuti per cuocere bene la zuppa.
per
for
bene
well
il minuto
the minute
la zuppa
the soup
ci volerci
to take
venti
twenty
cuocere
to cook
Questions & Answers about Ci vogliono venti minuti per cuocere bene la zuppa.
What does the phrase ci vogliono mean in this sentence?
Ci vogliono is an impersonal construction derived from the verb volerci, meaning “it takes” or “are needed.” In this context, it indicates that twenty minutes are required for a particular action, namely to cook the soup well.
Why is the verb vogliono in the plural form?
The plural form vogliono agrees with the plural noun venti minuti (twenty minutes). In Italian, when using expressions like ci vogliono to indicate the time needed, the verb must match the number of the time unit. If the time unit were singular (for example, un minuto), the singular form ci vuole would be used instead.
What is the role of the preposition per in this sentence?
Per introduces the purpose or function of the time mentioned. It links the time required (twenty minutes) to the action that follows, functioning much like “to” in English—as in “it takes twenty minutes to cook the soup well.”
Why is cuocere presented in the infinitive form?
In Italian, after a preposition such as per you always use the infinitive form of the verb. Here, cuocere (to cook) follows per to express the intended action, indicating the purpose for which the time is needed.
How does the adverb bene function in the sentence?
The adverb bene modifies the verb cuocere. It explains how the soup should be cooked, meaning “well” or “properly.” Like most Italian adverbs, bene is invariable and typically follows the verb it modifies.
Are there alternative ways to express this idea in Italian?
Yes, you might also say servono venti minuti per cuocere bene la zuppa. This alternative conveys the same meaning—“twenty minutes are needed to cook the soup well”—and choosing between ci vogliono and servono can depend on personal or regional stylistic preferences.
More from this lesson
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Italian grammar?”
Italian grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.
Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor
Start learning ItalianMaster Italian — from Ci vogliono venti minuti per cuocere bene la zuppa to fluency
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.
- ✓ Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
- ✓ Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
- ✓ Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
- ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions