Metto il cappotto rosso quando fa freddo.

I put on the red coat when it is cold.

Breakdown of Metto il cappotto rosso quando fa freddo.

• io: I
• mettere: to put
• rosso: red
• quando: when
• freddo: cold
• il cappotto: the coat

Questions & Answers about Metto il cappotto rosso quando fa freddo.

What does the verb metto mean, and why isn’t the subject explicitly stated?

Metto is the first-person singular present tense of the verb mettere, meaning “I put (on)” in English. In Italian, the subject pronoun (io) is usually omitted because the verb ending already clearly indicates who is performing the action.

Why is the definite article il used before cappotto in the sentence?

In Italian, nouns typically require a definite article when referring to a specific or general object. Here, il cappotto translates as “the coat,” indicating a particular coat. The article is necessary to correctly modify the noun.

Why is the adjective rosso placed after cappotto instead of before it?

In Italian, adjectives that describe inherent or unchanging qualities—such as color—typically follow the noun. Thus, cappotto rosso is the natural word order for saying “red coat.”

What does the phrase quando fa freddo mean, and why is the verb fa used?

Quando fa freddo translates as “when it is cold.” The verb fa (from fare) is used impersonally to describe weather conditions in Italian, similar to how English uses “it is” in expressions like “it is cold.”

How is the overall sentence structured in terms of its clauses?

The sentence is composed of a main clause and an adverbial clause. The main clause, Metto il cappotto rosso, states the primary action (“I put on the red coat”), while the adverbial clause quando fa freddo provides the condition under which the action takes place (“when it is cold”).

Does the sentence imply a habitual action, and if so, how?

Yes, the use of the simple present tense in both clauses implies a habitual or routine action. The sentence means that whenever it is cold, the speaker regularly puts on the red coat.