Learn Hardcore Italian: Io compilo il documento.

This sentence translates to "I fill out the document" (or "I compile the document" depending on context). The verb compilo is the first person singular present tense of compilare, indicating that the speaker is performing the action on the document.

Why is the subject pronoun Io included in the sentence when the verb ending already indicates the subject?

In Italian, the subject pronoun is often dropped because the verb ending makes it clear who is performing the action. Io is used here for added clarity or emphasis, but it is not strictly necessary. You could simply say Compilo il documento without changing the meaning.

How do I conjugate the verb compilare in the present tense for other subjects?

Compilare is a regular -are verb. Its conjugation in the present tense is as follows: • Io compilo – I fill out
• Tu compili – You fill out
• Lui/Lei compila – He/She fills out
• Noi compiliamo – We fill out
• Voi compilate – You (plural) fill out
• Loro compilano – They fill out

What is the function of the definite article il in this sentence?

The article il is the masculine singular definite article in Italian, similar to "the" in English. It is used here because documento is a masculine noun. This shows that the document being referenced is a specific one.

Is the word order in Io compilo il documento similar to typical English sentence structure?

Yes, the sentence follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) structure, which is identical to the typical word order in English. This makes the sentence easier for native English speakers to understand while they learn Italian.