Learn Hardcore Italian: Quel rumore costante è fastidioso, sarebbe meglio spegnere la radio. - That constant noise is annoying; it would be better to turn off the radio.

Quel is a demonstrative adjective meaning “that.” It is used to refer to a specific noise that the speaker assumes is known from context. Since rumore (noise) is a masculine singular noun, quel is the correct form to indicate “that noise.”

How is the adjective costante functioning in the phrase "rumore costante", and why is it placed after the noun?

Costante means “constant” and describes the noun rumore. In Italian, adjectives can be placed either before or after the noun. Placing costante after rumore is common when the adjective provides a straightforward descriptive quality. The order here follows a typical pattern where the noun comes first and the descriptive adjective follows.

What does fastidioso mean, and how does it agree with the noun it describes?

Fastidioso translates as “annoying” or “irritating” in English. Since it modifies rumore, a masculine singular noun, the adjective is in the masculine singular form. If the modified noun were feminine or plural, the adjective would change accordingly (for example, fastidiosa in the feminine singular).

Why is the phrase "sarebbe meglio" used in the sentence, and what does it express about the speaker’s attitude?

Sarebbe meglio literally means “it would be better.” The conditional mood expressed by sarebbe is used to offer advice or make a suggestion in a softer, more indirect way. Instead of stating something as an absolute fact, this construction presents a recommendation with an element of politeness or tentativeness.

Why is the verb spegnere in its infinitive form after "sarebbe meglio", and how does this structure work?

In Italian, when making a suggestion or giving advice with expressions like sarebbe meglio, the verb that follows is typically in the infinitive form. Spegnere means “to turn off,” so the structure sarebbe meglio spegnere la radio translates to “it would be better to turn off the radio.” This construction is a common way to express that a particular action is advisable.

Why is there a comma in the sentence, and how does it affect the connection between the two clauses?

The comma separates two related but independent clauses. The first clause, "Quel rumore costante è fastidioso," states an observation or opinion about the noise. The second clause, "sarebbe meglio spegnere la radio," offers a suggestion based on that observation. The comma indicates a pause and links the cause (the annoying noise) with the effect (the advised action of turning off the radio).