Dopo aver lavato la pentola, la ripongo nella credenza della cucina.

After washing the pot, I put it away in the kitchen cupboard.

Breakdown of Dopo aver lavato la pentola, la ripongo nella credenza della cucina.

• io: I
• di: of
• in: in
• la cucina: the kitchen
• lavare: to wash
• dopo: after
• la pentola: the pot
• riporre: to put away
• la credenza: the cupboard

Questions & Answers about Dopo aver lavato la pentola, la ripongo nella credenza della cucina.

What does the phrase "Dopo aver lavato la pentola" mean in English?

It translates to "After having washed the pot" or "After washing the pot." This clause indicates that the pot was washed before the next action takes place.

Why is the perfect infinitive "aver lavato" used instead of just the simple infinitive "lavare" or a gerund?

In Italian, the perfect infinitive "aver lavato" is used to show that the action of washing the pot was completed before the main action. This construction emphasizes that the washing is fully done before the pot is put away.

In the sentence, what does the pronoun "la" in "la ripongo" refer to?

The pronoun "la" replaces "la pentola" to avoid repetition. Since "pentola" is a feminine noun, the corresponding feminine singular direct object pronoun "la" is used when saying "I put it away."

What is the meaning of "credenza" in this context?

"Credenza" refers to a kitchen cupboard or cabinet. In this sentence, it describes the piece of furniture where the pot is stored.

Why is the subject "I" not explicitly mentioned in the sentence?

Italian is a pro-drop language, meaning that subject pronouns can be omitted when the verb conjugation already implies the subject. In "la ripongo," the ending "-o" clearly indicates that the action is performed by "io" (I).

Could the sentence be rephrased using a subordinate clause instead of the "dopo aver" construction?

Yes, it can be rephrased as "Dopo che ho lavato la pentola, la ripongo nella credenza della cucina." Both versions are correct; however, the "dopo aver" construction is more concise and commonly used in written Italian.