Breakdown of Cerca di chiudere bene il rubinetto per evitare lo spreco d’acqua.
tu
you
chiudere
to close
di
of
l'acqua
the water
per
for
di
to
cercare
to try
evitare
to avoid
bene
properly
il rubinetto
the faucet
lo spreco
the waste
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Italian grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Cerca di chiudere bene il rubinetto per evitare lo spreco d’acqua.
What does the phrase "cerca di" mean, and why is it used in this sentence?
"Cerca di" is an imperative expression that translates roughly as "try to" in English. It's used to instruct someone to make an effort to perform the following action, in this case, closing the faucet. This form softens the command by implying that the listener should attempt to do it rather than enforcing a strict order.
Why is the verb "chiudere" in its infinitive form rather than being conjugated?
After expressions like "cerca di", Italian grammar requires the following verb to appear in its infinitive form. Here, "chiudere" (meaning "to close") follows "cerca di", indicating the action that one should try to perform. This construction is standard in Italian when linking effort or intention to an action.
What is the role of the adverb "bene" in the sentence?
The adverb "bene" means "well" or "properly". It modifies the verb "chiudere" by specifying the manner in which the faucet should be closed. Essentially, it emphasizes that the closing must be done correctly to ensure that no water is wasted.
How does the phrase "per evitare lo spreco d’acqua" function within the sentence?
The phrase "per evitare lo spreco d’acqua" is used to indicate purpose. It translates to "to avoid wasting water" and explains the reason behind the action of closing the faucet. The preposition "per" introduces this purpose clause, linking the action to its intended outcome.
Why is it written as "d’acqua" instead of "di acqua"?
In Italian, when the preposition "di" is immediately followed by a noun that begins with a vowel—as in "acqua"—it contracts to "d’" for smoother pronunciation. Therefore, "di acqua" becomes "d’acqua". This contraction is a standard feature in Italian to avoid awkward pauses or breaks in speech.