Di solito, un limone maturo ha un aroma più intenso.

to have

Breakdown of Di solito, un limone maturo ha un aroma più intenso.

• più: more
• il limone: the lemon
• di solito: usually
• maturo: ripe
• l'aroma: the aroma
• intenso: intense

Questions & Answers about Di solito, un limone maturo ha un aroma più intenso.

What does the phrase Di solito mean and why is it placed at the beginning of the sentence?

Di solito translates to “usually” in English. It is an introductory adverbial phrase that sets the context by indicating the statement describes a typical, habitual situation. Placing it at the beginning emphasizes that what follows is generally true rather than an isolated occurrence.

Why does the adjective maturo (ripe) follow the noun limone (lemon) instead of preceding it?

In Italian, adjectives that describe an inherent quality or condition are often placed after the noun. So, limone maturo is the standard word order to indicate “ripe lemon.” This contrasts with English, where adjectives typically come before the noun. The post-nominal placement in Italian helps specify that the lemon’s ripeness is a defining characteristic.

How is the comparative construction più intenso formed, and what does it convey in the sentence?

The comparative più intenso is formed by combining più (meaning “more”) with intenso (meaning “intense”). This construction indicates a comparison—in this case, that a ripe lemon has an aroma that is more intense than another, less ripe or less fragrant lemon. It shows an increase in the degree of intensity.

Why is the indefinite article un used before both limone and aroma in this sentence?

In Italian, every noun generally requires an article. The indefinite article un is used here because both limone (lemon) and aroma (aroma) are masculine singular nouns. This usage is similar to the English “a,” indicating that the sentence refers to any typical instance of a ripe lemon with a more intense aroma rather than a specific one.

Does the overall word order of this Italian sentence differ much from English, and what should I be aware of?

The overall structure is quite similar to English: an introductory adverb (Di solito/Usually), followed by the subject (un limone maturo/a ripe lemon), and then the verb plus object (ha un aroma più intenso/has a more intense aroma). However, a couple of key differences stand out. Firstly, adjectives like maturo typically come after the noun in Italian rather than before it as in English. Secondly, Italian requires explicit articles with nouns, even when English sometimes drops them. Recognizing these patterns will help smooth the transition between the two languages.