Learn Hardcore Italian: Mi piace arredare la casa con mobili semplici, così tutto sembra più spazioso. - I like to furnish the house with simple furniture, so everything looks more spacious.

“Mi piace” literally translates as “it pleases me.” In Italian, the object of your liking (here, “arredare la casa”) is actually the subject of the sentence, while “mi” is an indirect object pronoun meaning “to me.” This reversal of subject and object can be confusing for English speakers because in English we say “I like…” instead of “It pleases me.”

Why is the verb “arredare” in its infinitive form after “Mi piace”?

In Italian, when talking about liking an activity, you commonly follow “piacere” with an infinitive. So “Mi piace arredare la casa” means “I like decorating the house.” The infinitive “arredare” is used to express the action itself without needing to conjugate the verb in the context of personal preference.

How does adjective agreement work in the phrase “mobili semplici”?

In Italian, adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun they describe. Here, “mobili” is the plural form of “mobile” (furniture), and “semplici” is the matching plural form of “semplice.” Both are masculine plural. This agreement tells us that the simple style applies to all pieces of furniture being referred to.

What role does the connector “così” play in this sentence?

“Così” can be translated as “so” or “thus.” It introduces the result or consequence of decorating with simple furniture. In “così tutto sembra più spazioso,” it connects the idea that using simple furniture makes everything appear more spacious, emphasizing a cause-and-effect relationship.

Who is the subject of the verb “sembra” in the clause “tutto sembra più spazioso,” and what does that indicate?

The subject of “sembra” is “tutto” (everything). This indicates that “everything” — possibly the overall feel of the home — appears more spacious. The sentence conveys that as a consequence of decorating with simple furniture, the general impression of space in the home is enhanced.

Why did the speaker choose to use the infinitive “arredare la casa” (to decorate the house) instead of a noun like “arredamento”?

Using the infinitive “arredare” emphasizes the action of decorating, highlighting a personal preference for engaging in that activity. If a noun like “arredamento” (decoration) were used, it would focus more on the result or state of the home rather than the process of decorating it. The chosen structure makes it clear that the speaker enjoys the act of decorating with a particular style.