Breakdown of Attento alle punture di zanzara quando stai in giardino la sera.
di
of
in
in
il giardino
the garden
la sera
the evening
quando
when
stare
to be
attento
careful
la zanzara
the mosquito
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Questions & Answers about Attento alle punture di zanzara quando stai in giardino la sera.
What does the sentence "Attento alle punture di zanzara quando stai in giardino la sera" mean in English?
It means "Be careful of mosquito bites when you are in the garden in the evening." The sentence is a warning to take care of potential mosquito bites during the evening hours outdoors.
Why is the word attento used at the beginning of the sentence, and how does it function grammatically?
Attento is an adjective meaning "careful" or "alert." In this context, it is used imperatively—almost as a short command—to warn or advise someone. Being in the masculine singular form, it’s typically directed informally toward one person.
Why is the contraction alle used before punture, and what does it indicate?
The contraction alle comes from a + le (to + the). It is used because punture (bites) is a plural noun that requires the definite article. Here, it implies "the mosquito bites" in a general sense, referring to a known or typical set of bites one might get.
Why does the noun zanzara appear in the singular form even though it follows the plural noun punture?
In Italian, when a noun follows another noun with di (of) to indicate the type or source, it often remains in the singular. Thus, punture di zanzara literally means "bites of (mosquito) type." The singular zanzara describes the kind of insect responsible for the bites rather than indicating multiple species.
What does the phrase quando stai in giardino la sera signify in terms of time and setting?
This phrase specifies the circumstances under which the warning applies. Quando stai in giardino translates to "when you are in the garden," and la sera means "in the evening." Together, they set a temporal and locational context, indicating that the caution about mosquito bites is particularly relevant during the evening in the garden.
Is the sentence considered formal or informal, and how can you tell?
The sentence is informal. You can tell because it uses attento (a form typically used in spoken, everyday language) and stai, which is the informal second-person singular form of the verb stare. This indicates that the warning is meant for someone you’re on familiar terms with rather than in a formal or official setting.