Learn Hardcore Italian: Il film è di alta qualità.

“Il” is the masculine singular definite article in Italian. Even though “film” is a loanword, it is treated as a masculine noun in Italian, so “il film” means “the film.”

What is the function of the verb “è” in this sentence?

“È” is the third-person singular present form of the verb “essere,” which means “to be.” In this sentence, it serves as the linking verb connecting the subject “il film” to its quality description “di alta qualità.”

How does the preposition “di” work in the phrase “di alta qualità”?

In this context, “di” functions similarly to the English “of.” It introduces the quality that the film possesses, forming the expression “of high quality.” This construction is commonly used in Italian to detail the characteristic or nature of something.

Why is the adjective “alta” in its feminine form?

The adjective “alta” is in its feminine form because it agrees with the noun “qualità,” which is feminine. In Italian, adjectives must match the gender and number of the noun they modify.

Can the expression “di alta qualità” be altered to describe other quality levels?

Yes, the structure is quite flexible. You can replace “alta” with other adjectives to describe different levels of quality—such as “di buona qualità” (of good quality) or “di pessima qualità” (of poor quality)—while maintaining the same construction to indicate that something possesses a particular quality.