Breakdown of Io butto il giornale vecchio sul pavimento.
io
I
su
on
vecchio
old
il pavimento
the floor
il giornale
the newspaper
buttare
to throw
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Questions & Answers about Io butto il giornale vecchio sul pavimento.
What is the literal English translation of the sentence "Io butto il giornale vecchio sul pavimento"?
It translates to "I throw the old newspaper on the floor."
What role does "Io" play in the sentence, and is it always necessary in Italian?
"Io" is the subject pronoun meaning "I." In Italian, subject pronouns are often omitted because the verb conjugation already indicates who is acting. However, including "Io" can provide emphasis or clarity.
What is the form and meaning of the verb "butto" in this sentence?
Butto is the first-person singular present indicative form of the verb "buttare," which means "to throw." This form shows that the speaker is performing the action in the present.
Why is the adjective "vecchio" placed after the noun "giornale" instead of before it?
In Italian, adjectives that describe an inherent or objective quality (like age in this case) typically follow the noun. Placing "vecchio" after "giornale" follows this standard word order, giving the phrase the meaning "old newspaper."
What does the contraction "sul" mean in the context of this sentence?
"Sul" is a contraction of the preposition "su" (meaning "on") and the definite article "il" (meaning "the"). Thus, "sul pavimento" translates as "on the floor."