Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Italian grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Il cielo è chiaro oggi.
Why is the article Il used before cielo?
In Italian, almost every noun comes with a definite article. Here, cielo is a masculine singular noun, so it takes Il (meaning "the"). This practice helps indicate the gender and number of the noun.
What does the adjective chiaro mean in this context?
Chiaro can translate as "clear" or "bright." In this sentence, it describes the current state of the sky, implying that it is free of heavy clouds or darkness.
What role does the verb è play in the sentence?
È is the third-person singular form of the verb essere, which means "to be." It acts as the linking verb that connects the subject il cielo ("the sky") to its descriptive predicate chiaro ("clear").
Why is oggi placed at the end of the sentence, and can it be moved?
Oggi means "today" and functions as a time adverb. Placing it at the end is common in Italian, emphasizing when the state applies. However, the word order is flexible, and you can also say Oggi il cielo è chiaro without changing the meaning.
How does the adjective chiaro agree with the noun cielo?
In Italian, adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. Since cielo is masculine singular, chiaro is also in its masculine singular form. If the noun were feminine or plural, the adjective would change accordingly.
Is the sentence structure similar to English, and how is it organized?
Yes, the structure is quite similar to English. The sentence follows a Subject-Verb-Predicate format:
• Subject: il cielo (the sky)
• Verb: è (is)
• Predicate (adjective): chiaro (clear)
• Adverb of time: oggi (today)
This straightforward arrangement makes it easier for English speakers to grasp the basic sentence construction in Italian.