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Voglio comprare un libro usato.

Voglio comprare un libro usato.
I want to buy a used book.
FromLesson 11inHardcore Italian

Breakdown of Voglio comprare un libro usato.

io
I
il libro
the book
volere
to want
comprare
to buy
usato
used

Questions & Answers about Voglio comprare un libro usato.

What does "Voglio" mean in this sentence?
"Voglio" is the first-person singular present form of the verb "volere," which means "to want." In this sentence, it translates as "I want."
Why is "comprare" used in its infinitive form after "voglio"?
In Italian, when expressing a desire with a modal verb like "voglio," the following verb remains in its infinitive form. Here, "comprare" means "to buy."
What role does the article "un" play in the sentence?
"Un" is an indefinite article equivalent to "a" or "an" in English. It indicates that the speaker is referring to any single used book, not a specific one.
How does the noun "libro" function, and what does it mean?
"Libro" means "book." It functions as the direct object of the sentence — the item that the speaker wants to buy — and appears in its singular form since only one book is being discussed.
Why does the adjective "usato" come after "libro," and what does it signify?
In Italian, adjectives like "usato" (meaning "used") typically follow the noun they modify. This positioning also requires that the adjective agrees in gender and number with the noun; since "libro" is masculine singular, "usato" is used in its masculine singular form.
Why is there no explicit subject pronoun (like "I") in the sentence?
Italian often omits subject pronouns because the verb conjugation (here, "voglio") clearly indicates the subject. In this case, it is understood that the speaker is referring to "I," making an explicit pronoun unnecessary.
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