Breakdown of Ogni mattina, io mi sveglio alle sette per iniziare a lavorare.
io
I
ogni
every
la mattina
the morning
per
for
svegliarsi
to wake up
iniziare
to start
lavorare
to work
a
to
sette
seven
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Italian grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Ogni mattina, io mi sveglio alle sette per iniziare a lavorare.
What does Ogni mattina mean, and why is it used at the beginning of the sentence?
Ogni mattina translates to "every morning." It is placed at the beginning to set the time frame and indicate a habitual or routine action. Using time phrases like this is common in Italian when describing regular activities.
Why is the reflexive pronoun mi used before sveglio?
The verb svegliarsi (to wake up) is reflexive in Italian, meaning the subject performs the action on themselves. The pronoun mi is the reflexive form for io (I), and it is necessary to show that the action of waking up is directed toward oneself.
Why is the subject pronoun io explicitly included in the sentence even though the verb is already conjugated?
In Italian, subject pronouns are often dropped because the verb conjugation usually makes the subject clear. However, io is included here for emphasis or clarity, ensuring that it’s explicitly stated that I am the one waking up.
What is the role of alle sette in the sentence, and how is it constructed?
Alle sette means "at seven" (referring to 7 o’clock). It uses the contraction alle (a + le), which combines the preposition a (at) with the definite article le used for time references. This phrase specifies the exact time when the action takes place.
How does the purpose clause per iniziare a lavorare function in the sentence?
The purpose clause per iniziare a lavorare means "to start working." The preposition per is used to introduce the purpose or reason behind the action. It explains why the subject wakes up early, linking the routine of waking up to the goal of beginning work.
What verb tense is used in sveglio, and why is it appropriate for this sentence?
Sveglio is in the present indicative tense, first person singular. This tense is appropriate because the sentence describes a habitual, recurring action—waking up every morning—which is a characteristic use of the present indicative in Italian.
How is the reflexive verb svegliarsi conjugated in this sentence, and what is its structure?
In the sentence, the reflexive verb svegliarsi is conjugated as mi sveglio. The structure follows the pattern of placing the reflexive pronoun (mi) before the conjugated verb (sveglio). This indicates that the subject (io) is performing the action on themselves, which is typical for reflexive verbs in Italian.