Learn Hardcore Italian: Faccio un lungo sbadiglio perché sono stanco. - I let out a long yawn because I am tired.

Faccio is the first person singular present form of the verb fare, which means to do or to make. In this sentence, it is used to express that the speaker is performing the action of making a yawn – hence, “I do/make a long yawn.”

Why is the expression fare un sbadiglio used instead of a verb equivalent to "to yawn"?

Italian often uses fare followed by a noun to describe an action. In this case, fare un sbadiglio literally means to do a yawn or to make a yawn. Although Italian does have the verb sbadigliare (meaning “to yawn”), the idiomatic expression using fare is more common.

What does perché sono stanco mean, and how does it function in the sentence?

Perché sono stanco translates as because I am tired. The word perché introduces the reason for the action, and sono stanco (with sono being the first person singular present of essere) states the speaker’s condition of fatigue.

How does gender affect the adjective in this sentence?

The adjective stanco is in its masculine form because it agrees with the speaker. If a female speaker were saying this, the adjective would change to stanca. Hence, a female would say: Faccio un lungo sbadiglio perché sono stanca.

Can you break down the structure of the sentence word by word?

Certainly!
• Faccio – “I do/make” (from the verb fare).
• Un – “a” (indefinite article).
• Lungo – “long” (describing the noun that follows).
• Sbadiglio – “yawn” (noun form).
• Perché – “because” (introducing the reason).
• Sono – “I am” (from the verb essere).
• Stanco – “tired” (masculine adjective, agreeing with the speaker).

This structure first states the action being performed and then provides the cause for that action.