Learn Hardcore Italian: Se la padella è calda, è più facile cucinare in modo uniforme. - If the pan is hot, it is easier to cook evenly.

Se translates to “if” in English. It introduces a conditional clause, setting up the condition under which the rest of the sentence applies—in this case, noting that when the pan is hot, something becomes easier.

Why is the definite article la used with padella?

In Italian, every noun has a gender. Padella (meaning “pan”) is a feminine noun, so it takes the feminine definite article la. This is similar to how English uses “the,” but Italian requires the article to agree in gender with the noun.

How does the adjective calda agree with the noun padella?

The adjective calda is in the feminine form because it describes padella, a feminine noun. In Italian, adjectives must agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify, so since padella is feminine (and singular), calda is also in its feminine singular form.

How is the comparative structure è più facile used in this sentence?

The phrase è più facile means “is easier.” Here, più is used to form the comparative of facile. Italian typically places più before an adjective to indicate a greater degree, much like saying “more easy” (or “easier”) in English when expressing comparison.

What does the phrase in modo uniforme mean, and is there an alternative way to express it?

In modo uniforme translates as “in an even manner” or simply “evenly.” It is an adverbial phrase that describes how the cooking is done. An alternative expression in Italian is uniformemente, which conveys the same meaning.

Why is there a comma separating the two parts of the sentence?

In Italian, when a subordinate clause (like the conditional clause introduced by Se) comes at the start of a sentence, a comma is typically used to separate it from the main clause. This punctuation helps clarify the sentence structure in a way similar to English.