La felpa rossa si abbina bene al cappello nero.

The red sweatshirt matches well with the black hat.

Breakdown of La felpa rossa si abbina bene al cappello nero.

• bene: well
• la felpa: the sweatshirt
• rossa: red
• il cappello: the hat
• nero: black
• abbinarsi: to match

Questions & Answers about La felpa rossa si abbina bene al cappello nero.

What does felpa mean, and why is it usually translated as “sweatshirt”?

Felpa refers to a casual, warm piece of clothing, typically a sweatshirt or fleece. Although in some contexts it might be rendered as “hoodie,” the most common translation is “sweatshirt.” The word sets the tone for a relaxed, everyday garment.

Why is the verb written as si abbina instead of just abbina?

In Italian, the verb abbinarsi is reflexive, meaning “to match” or “to go well with.” The reflexive pronoun si is an essential part of the construction; it isn’t optional. It indicates that the subject (in this case, the red sweatshirt) is naturally pairing itself with the hat, and this is the standard way to express that idea in Italian.

What is the role of bene in the sentence?

Bene is an adverb meaning “well.” It modifies the verb si abbina to explain how the items complement each other. Essentially, it tells us that the red sweatshirt pairs well or looks good with the black hat.

How and why is the contraction al formed in al cappello nero?

The contraction al comes from combining the preposition a, which in this case introduces the object with which something is paired, and the masculine definite article il (used before cappello). Hence, a + il cappello becomes al cappello. This is a standard contraction in Italian when the preposition a meets il.

Why do the adjectives rossa and nero end differently, and what does that tell us?

In Italian, adjectives must agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify. Since felpa is a feminine noun, the adjective is rossa (feminine form), and because cappello is a masculine noun, the adjective is nero (masculine form). This agreement is crucial for grammatical accuracy and helps confirm the gender of the nouns.

What tense and person is used in si abbina, and what does that imply about the subject?

The verb abbina is in the present tense, third person singular, which implies that the subject – here, the red sweatshirt – is being described as naturally matching or pairing with the hat. Even though the construction is reflexive, the subject remains the red sweatshirt, and the form of the verb shows that the action is seen as a general or habitual quality.