Devo cambiare le lenzuola del mio letto, perché sono ormai vecchie e scomode.

I have to change the sheets on my bed, because they’re now old and uncomfortable.

Breakdown of Devo cambiare le lenzuola del mio letto, perché sono ormai vecchie e scomode.

• essere: to be
• di: of
• vecchio: old
• il letto: the bed
• e: and
• il mio: my
• perché: because
• dovere: to have to
• cambiare: to change
• scomodo: uncomfortable

Questions & Answers about Devo cambiare le lenzuola del mio letto, perché sono ormai vecchie e scomode.

What does the contraction “del” in “le lenzuola del mio letto” mean, and why is it used here?

“Del” is a contraction of the preposition di (“of”) and the definite article il (“the”). In this sentence, it turns “di il mio letto” into “del mio letto” to mean “of my bed,” showing possession—that the sheets belong to your bed.

Why is the word “lenzuola” used in the plural form, and what does it mean?

The term lenzuola means “bed sheets” and is almost always used in the plural because it refers to a set of sheets rather than an individual sheet. In Italian, it’s common to refer to certain items, like sheets, only in their plural form.

What role does the adverb “oramai” play in the sentence?

Oramai translates roughly as “by now” or “already.” It emphasizes that the sheets have reached a state where they’re notably old and uncomfortable, making it clear that changing them is a necessity due to their worn condition.

How do the adjectives “vecchie” and “scomode” agree with the noun “lenzuola,” and why are they placed after it?

In Italian, adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun they describe. Since lenzuola is feminine and plural, the adjectives take the forms vecchie (old) and scomode (uncomfortable). Placing them after the noun is a common structure for descriptive adjectives in Italian.

How does the construction “devo cambiare” express obligation in Italian?

The verb devo comes from dovere, which indicates necessity or obligation. When paired with the infinitive cambiare (“to change”), it forms the phrase “devo cambiare,” which means “I have to change” or “I must change.” This construction straightforwardly expresses that changing the sheets is an obligation.