Io cammino sul sentiero vicino al fiume.

I walk on the path near the river.

Breakdown of Io cammino sul sentiero vicino al fiume.

• io: I
• su: on
• vicino: near
• camminare: to walk
• il fiume: the river
• al: to
• il sentiero: the path

Questions & Answers about Io cammino sul sentiero vicino al fiume.

Why is the subject pronoun Io explicitly stated in the sentence?

Italian is a pro-drop language, meaning that the subject pronoun is often omitted because the verb form already indicates who is acting. However, including Io can add emphasis or clarity, especially in contexts where you want to stress that I am the one walking.

What does the verb cammino mean, and what is its grammatical role?

Cammino is the first-person singular present tense form of the verb camminare, which means "to walk." In this sentence, it functions as the main verb, translating to "I walk" or "I am walking."

How is the contraction sul formed, and what does it signify in the sentence?

Sul is a contraction of su (meaning "on") and il (the masculine singular definite article "the"). Therefore, sul sentiero translates to "on the path," indicating the location where the walking occurs.

What is the function of the phrase vicino al fiume in the sentence?

The phrase vicino al fiume serves as a locative expression that describes where the path is situated—it means "near the river." Here, vicino means "near," and it is paired with al, the contraction of a ("to/at") and il ("the"), to precisely indicate proximity.

Why is the adjective vicino placed after sentiero rather than before it?

In Italian, adjectives can be positioned either before or after the noun, but their placement can affect nuance. Placing vicino after sentiero is common when the adjective provides a clear, descriptive detail about the noun—in this case, specifying the path’s location relative to the river.

Is the sentence structure of Io cammino sul sentiero vicino al fiume typical in Italian?

Yes, the sentence follows a common Italian structure: the subject (Io) comes first, followed by the verb (cammino), and then the prepositional phrases (sul sentiero and vicino al fiume) that indicate location. Italian word order is flexible, but this arrangement is standard and easy to understand.