Learn Hardcore Italian: Mi sento capace di affrontare nuove sfide dopo aver studiato così tanto. - I feel capable of facing new challenges after studying so much.

The sentence means "I feel capable of facing new challenges after having studied so much." It expresses that after a significant period of studying, the speaker now feels confident in taking on new challenges.

Why is the reflexive pronoun mi used in "Mi sento capace"?

In Italian, the verb sentirsi (to feel) is reflexive. The pronoun mi indicates that the subject (I) is referring to its own feelings. It’s similar to saying "I feel" in English, where the feeling is experienced internally.

Why is the verb affrontare in its infinitive form after "capace di"?

In Italian, adjectives like capace (capable) are typically followed by the preposition di plus an infinitive verb. This construction is used to express the ability to perform an action. Here, "di affrontare" literally means "of facing" or "to face."

What role does the phrase "dopo aver studiato così tanto" play in the sentence?

The phrase "dopo aver studiato così tanto" is a time and causal subordinate clause. It indicates that the action of studying occurred before the current feeling of being capable. Essentially, it explains the reason or background for the speaker's current confidence, meaning "after having studied so much."

How is the auxiliary aver functioning in "dopo aver studiato così tanto"?

In this construction, aver is the infinitive form of the auxiliary verb avere (to have) used with the past participle studiato. When forming compound infinitives in Italian, the auxiliary (often avere or essere) is used to indicate that an action has been completed. Thus, "aver studiato" translates to "having studied."

Can you explain why "sfide" is used instead of "sfida" in the sentence?

Yes. "Sfide" is the plural form of "sfida" meaning "challenge." The use of the plural emphasizes that the speaker is ready to face multiple or various new challenges, rather than just one.