Io godo del buon cibo.

I enjoy good food.

Breakdown of Io godo del buon cibo.

• io: I
• il cibo: the food
• buono: good
• del: some
• godere: to enjoy

Questions & Answers about Io godo del buon cibo.

What is the English translation of the sentence Io godo del buon cibo.?

The sentence translates to "I enjoy good food." It means that the speaker takes pleasure in or relishes good food.

Why is the subject pronoun Io used even though Italian verbs carry subject information through their conjugation?

Italian typically allows the subject pronoun to be dropped because the verb form already indicates the subject. However, including Io can add emphasis or clarity, especially when contrasting subjects or when the speaker wants to stress that they, in particular, enjoy good food.

What does the verb godo mean and how is it used in this context?

Godo is the first person singular present form of the verb godere, which means "to enjoy" or "to take pleasure in." In this sentence, it conveys that the speaker experiences pleasure from good food.

Why is the preposition del used before buon cibo instead of just di?

Del is a contraction of di (of) and il (the). It is required because the verb godere is used with the preposition di to introduce what is being enjoyed. Thus, del buon cibo means "of the good food," functioning as the object of enjoyment.

Why is the adjective buon used instead of the full form buono?

In Italian, adjectives like buono often shorten when they come directly before a masculine singular noun. Before the noun cibo, buono becomes buon. This is a common grammatical adjustment in Italian to create a smoother, more natural-sounding phrase.

Is godere considered formal or literary, and are there alternative ways to express enjoying something in Italian?

Godere is somewhat more formal or literary compared to everyday expressions. In casual conversation, Italians often use mi piace to convey enjoyment or liking. While mi piace il buon cibo is a common way to say "I like good food," Io godo del buon cibo emphasizes a deeper sense of pleasure or savoring.

Does the structure godere del indicate a different grammatical construction compared to verbs that take a direct object?

Yes, it does. Instead of taking a direct object, godere is used with the preposition di (contracted here to del when combined with il) to introduce what is being enjoyed. This prepositional construction is standard for expressing that the pleasure comes from something specific, in this case, buon cibo.