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Questions & Answers about Il bambino è solo.
What does each word in the sentence "Il bambino è solo" mean?
Il is the masculine singular definite article meaning "the."
Bambino means "child" (traditionally referring to a boy, but it can be used generically for a child).
È is the third person singular form of essere (to be), translating to "is."
Solo is an adjective meaning "alone."
So, the full sentence translates as "The child is alone."
How does the adjective solo agree with the noun bambino?
In Italian, adjectives must match the noun they modify in gender and number. Since bambino is a masculine singular noun, the adjective remains in its masculine singular form as solo. If the noun were feminine (e.g., bambina), the adjective would change to sola, and similarly, plural forms would adjust accordingly.
Why is è used instead of sta in this sentence?
The verb essere (with è being its third person singular form) is used here to describe the state of being. In Italian, essere is typically used for inherent conditions or characteristics, while stare is used to describe temporary states or locations. Since being alone in this context describes the child’s state, è is the proper choice.
What are the possible meanings of solo, and which meaning applies in this context?
The word solo can mean either "alone" (as an adjective describing a state) or "only" (when used as an adverb). In this sentence, because it follows the linking verb è and describes the state of the child, solo is functioning as an adjective meaning "alone."
How would the sentence change if we wanted to refer to a girl instead of a boy?
If referring to a girl, the noun and the adjective must agree in gender. Bambino would change to bambina (feminine form of child), and solo would change to sola. Additionally, while il is the masculine singular article, it would be replaced by la for feminine singular. The sentence would then be: "La bambina è sola."
Can the positioning of solo affect its meaning in Italian?
Yes, word order can sometimes affect the nuance in Italian. In this sentence, placing solo after è clearly makes it a predicate adjective describing the child's state of being. If solo were used before a noun in a different sentence structure, it might be used more restrictively or emphatically, or even have a sense closer to "only." Context and placement are key to determining its precise meaning.
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