Learn Hardcore Italian: Noi sopportiamo il traffico per andare all’ufficio. - We endure the traffic to go to the office.

It means “we endure” or “we tolerate.” In this context, it implies that we put up with something unpleasant (the traffic) because it’s a necessary part of our journey to the office.

Why is the subject pronoun Noi explicitly stated, even though Italian often omits subject pronouns?

Including Noi adds clarity and emphasis. Although Italian sometimes drops subject pronouns because the verb form shows the subject, using Noi here highlights that it is “we” who are enduring the traffic, perhaps to distinguish from someone else or to add extra emphasis on the collective experience.

What is the purpose of the phrase per andare all’ufficio in the sentence?

The phrase per andare all’ufficio explains the purpose behind enduring the traffic—it means “in order to go to the office.” It tells us why we are subject to the inconvenience of the traffic: it’s a necessary step to reach our destination.

Why is there an apostrophe in all’ufficio?

The apostrophe indicates an elision. The preposition “a” (meaning “to”) combines with the definite article “l’” (a shortened form of “il” before a vowel) to form “all’ufficio.” It’s the standard contraction in Italian when expressing “to the office.”

Could another verb be used instead of sopportiamo when talking about dealing with traffic, and what nuance does it add?

Yes, alternatives like “tolleriamo” or “affrontiamo” could be used, but each carries a different nuance. Sopportiamo emphasizes the idea of enduring something unpleasant, suggesting a reluctant acceptance. Tolleriamo might imply a more neutral acceptance, while affrontiamo would indicate actively dealing with or confronting the traffic.