Learn Hardcore Italian: Le tende in salotto sono azzurre e fanno entrare una luce tenue. - The curtains in the living room are blue and let in a soft light.

It means "The curtains in the living room are blue and let in a soft light." This translation shows that the sentence describes both the appearance of the curtains and the effect they have by allowing a gentle light to enter the room.

How do the adjectives in the sentence agree with the nouns they describe?

In Italian, adjectives must agree in gender and number with their nouns. Here, "le tende" is feminine and plural, so "azzurre" (blue) is also in the feminine plural form. Similarly, "una luce tenue" uses the feminine singular adjective "tenue" to agree with "luce" (light).

What does the prepositional phrase "in salotto" indicate in this sentence?

The phrase "in salotto" means "in the living room." It specifies the location of the curtains, showing that they are installed in the living room rather than somewhere else in the house.

How is the verb phrase "fanno entrare" used in this sentence?

The verb phrase "fanno entrare" comes from the causative use of "fare" (to make/let). Literally meaning "make enter," it idiomatically translates to "let in" in English. It indicates that the curtains have the effect of allowing or causing a soft light to enter the room.

What does the adjective "tenue" tell us about the light mentioned in the sentence?

The adjective "tenue" describes the quality of the light. It implies that the light is soft, dim, or faint, rather than harsh or bright. This choice of adjective contributes to the overall atmosphere suggested by the sentence.

How is the sentence structured grammatically?

The sentence is structured as two coordinated clauses. The first clause, "Le tende in salotto sono azzurre," describes the curtains and their color, while the second clause, "fanno entrare una luce tenue," describes the effect or action of the curtains. They are connected by "e" (and), making the sentence a compound statement about both appearance and function.

Could the construction "fanno entrare" be replaced with another verb to convey a similar meaning?

Yes, another option might be to use a different causative construction. For example, one could say "le tende lasciano entrare una luce tenue," which also means "let in a soft light." Both "fanno entrare" and "lasciano entrare" are acceptable, although they may carry slightly different nuances regarding how the action is perceived.