Learn Hardcore Italian: Prima di cena desidero fare un aperitivo con acqua frizzante e qualche stuzzichino. - Before dinner, I want to have an aperitif with sparkling water and some snacks.

Prima di cena means "before dinner." Placing it at the beginning of the sentence immediately sets the time frame for the upcoming action, a common Italian practice to provide context right away.

What does desidero mean, and how is it used in this context?

Desidero means "I desire" or "I would like." It is the first-person singular form of the verb desiderare. In this sentence, it expresses the speaker's wish to have an aperitif, conveying a formal or sincere tone.

What does the phrase fare un aperitivo imply?

Fare un aperitivo literally translates to "to have an aperitif," but it carries a cultural nuance. In Italy, it commonly refers to enjoying a light, pre-dinner drink often accompanied by small snacks. It is an integral part of socializing before a meal.

How is con acqua frizzante used in the sentence, and what does it indicate?

Con acqua frizzante means "with sparkling water." It specifies the type of beverage the speaker wishes to have with their aperitif. This choice of wording shows a preference for sparkling over still water, adding a detail that personalizes the drink order.

What is meant by qualche stuzzichino, and how does it fit into the context?

Qualche stuzzichino translates to "some snacks" or "a few appetizers." It indicates that the aperitif will be accompanied by small bite-sized foods, which is typical during an aperitivo. The use of qualche (meaning "some" or "a few") shows that the snacks are meant to be light and not a full meal.

Why is the sentence structured with the time phrase at the beginning?

Placing prima di cena at the beginning serves to immediately inform the listener or reader when the event is taking place. This front-loading of temporal information is a common stylistic device in Italian, similar to English, to set the scene before introducing the main action.