Learn Hardcore Italian: Ogni sera bevo tisana calda. - Every evening I drink hot herbal tea.

In Italian, subject pronouns are often omitted because the verb form itself indicates who is performing the action. In this sentence, bevo clearly shows that the subject is I, so there’s no need to include io.

What does ogni sera mean?

Ogni means every and sera means evening. Together, ogni sera translates to every evening, indicating that the action is habitual.

What is the significance of the verb form bevo?

Bevo is the first person singular present tense form of the verb bere (to drink). Its use indicates that the speaker is describing a regular action in the present.

Why is there no article before tisana calda?

In Italian, it is common to omit the article when talking about food or drinks in a general or habitual sense. Using tisana calda without an article expresses that the speaker routinely drinks herbal tea without referring to a specific serving. If a specific serving were intended, one might say una tisana calda.

Why does the adjective calda come after the noun tisana?

In Italian, descriptive adjectives that state factual qualities (like temperature) typically follow the noun. Calda comes after tisana to describe its characteristic of being hot. Additionally, the adjective agrees in gender and number with the noun: since tisana is feminine and singular, calda is also in the feminine singular form.

What exactly is a tisana?

A tisana is an herbal infusion, which is often referred to as herbal tea in English. Unlike tea made from Camellia sinensis, a tisana is usually prepared with a blend of herbs, flowers, or fruits and is enjoyed for its soothing qualities and potential health benefits.