Learn Hardcore Italian: Il caffè ha aroma forte. - The coffee has a strong aroma.

The sentence translates literally to "The coffee has strong aroma." In natural English, we would say "The coffee has a strong aroma." Each word corresponds as follows: "Il" means "the", "caffè" means "coffee", "ha" is the third person singular form of "avere" meaning "has", "aroma" means "aroma", and "forte" means "strong."

Why is the indefinite article (like "a" or "an") not used before "aroma forte" in this sentence?

In Italian, when describing a general quality or characteristic, it is common to omit the indefinite article. Saying "Il caffè ha aroma forte" expresses a general statement about the coffee’s characteristic. However, adding the article—as in "Il caffè ha un aroma forte"—is also correct and might be used for emphasis or clarity, but the version without the article is idiomatic as well.

What is the function of the verb "ha" in this sentence?

The verb "ha" is the third person singular present tense of "avere", which means "to have." In this context, it connects the subject "il caffè" (the coffee) with its characteristic "aroma forte" (strong aroma), indicating that the coffee possesses that quality.

Why is the adjective "forte" placed after the noun "aroma" rather than before it?

In Italian, adjectives can either precede or follow the noun, and their placement can subtly change the nuance of the description. For adjectives that describe inherent qualities or factual characteristics—like "strong" describing an aroma—it is typical to place them after the noun. Thus, "aroma forte" is the common and natural order in Italian for this kind of descriptive statement.

Can the sentence be rephrased while conveying the same meaning? If so, how?

Yes, the sentence can be rephrased. For example, you could say "Il caffè ha un aroma forte" by inserting the indefinite article "un", which conveys the same meaning: "The coffee has a strong aroma." Though both versions are grammatically correct, the omission of the article in the original sentence creates a more general, descriptive statement.

Are there any nuances or stylistic reasons for choosing one adjective order over the other in Italian?

Absolutely. In Italian, placing an adjective before a noun can sometimes add an emotional or subjective emphasis, whereas placing the adjective after the noun typically gives a straightforward, factual description. In the sentence "Il caffè ha aroma forte," the placement of "forte" after "aroma" objectively describes the coffee’s aroma. Changing the position might subtly shift the emphasis, but for describing a sensory quality like an aroma, the post-nominal position is standard.