Lui è molto timido, ma ha un animo gentile.

He is very shy, but he has a kind soul.

Breakdown of Lui è molto timido, ma ha un animo gentile.

• avere: to have
• essere: to be
• molto: very
• gentile: kind
• lui: he
• ma: but
• timido: shy

Questions & Answers about Lui è molto timido, ma ha un animo gentile.

What does animo refer to in this sentence, and how does it differ from anima?

In Italian, animo generally refers to a person's temperament, spirit, or overall disposition—essentially, it describes one’s inner nature in everyday contexts. In contrast, anima typically has a more spiritual connotation, referring to the soul. In the sentence, ha un animo gentile implies that he has a kind, gentle nature rather than emphasizing a metaphysical concept.

Why is the conjunction ma used in the sentence, and what is its function?

The word ma means "but" in English and is used to introduce a contrasting idea. In this sentence, it connects two clauses by highlighting that even though he is very shy (Lui è molto timido), he also possesses a gentle inner character (ha un animo gentile). This contrast enriches the overall description by showing different aspects of his personality.

What is the role of the adverb molto before timido, and why is it placed there?

Molto means "very" and functions as an intensifier, enhancing the adjective timido. In Italian, just like in English, adverbs that modify adjectives typically come before the adjective. Thus, molto timido directly translates to "very shy," emphasizing the extent of his shyness.

How is the verb ha in ha un animo gentile conjugated, and what does it indicate about the subject?

The verb ha is the third-person singular present tense form of avere (to have). Its use indicates that the subject referred to—lui (he)—is singular. This agreement between verb and subject is crucial for correct Italian grammar.

How do the adjectives timido and gentile agree with the nouns they modify in terms of gender and number?

In Italian, adjectives must agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify. Timido is used to describe lui (a masculine singular subject), so it appears in the masculine singular form. Similarly, gentile modifies animo, which is also masculine singular. Although gentile can be used for both masculine and feminine nouns, in this context it aligns with the gender and number of animo to maintain grammatical consistency.