Breakdown of Il pittore aggiunge un tocco speciale al dipinto.
speciale
special
il dipinto
the painting
aggiungere
to add
a
to
il tocco
the touch
il pittore
the painter
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Italian grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Il pittore aggiunge un tocco speciale al dipinto.
What is the role of il in il pittore in this sentence?
Il is the masculine singular definite article in Italian, equivalent to the in English. It indicates that we’re referring to a specific painter.
What does the word aggiunge mean, and which tense is it in?
Aggiunge means adds. It is the third-person singular present indicative form of the verb aggiungere, used here to describe a current or habitual action.
How should we understand the phrase un tocco speciale?
Un tocco speciale literally translates as a special touch. Un is the indefinite article meaning a, tocco means touch, and speciale is the adjective special. Notice that in Italian, adjectives like speciale often come after the noun they modify.
Why is the phrase al dipinto used, and what does it represent?
Al dipinto is a contraction of a + il dipinto. In Italian, the preposition a (meaning to) combines with the masculine singular article il to form al, referring to the painting.
Why does the adjective speciale follow the noun tocco instead of preceding it?
In Italian, many adjectives follow the noun when they describe an inherent quality or to emphasize the noun itself. Here, speciale follows tocco to form the common expression un tocco speciale, which emphasizes the idea of an extra, unique element added to the painting.
What stylistic meaning does the expression aggiunge un tocco speciale convey?
The expression suggests that the painter contributes a unique or distinctive element to the painting—something that personalizes or enhances the work of art. This phrase can also imply that a small, creative addition makes a significant difference in the overall composition.