Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Italian grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Leggere arricchisce la mente.
What is the literal meaning of the sentence "Leggere arricchisce la mente"?
The sentence literally translates to "Reading enriches the mind." Here, "leggere" means "to read" (used as a noun meaning "reading"), "arricchisce" means "enriches," and "la mente" translates to "the mind."
Why is the infinitive "leggere" used as the subject of the sentence?
In Italian, using an infinitive to indicate a general activity is quite common. In this sentence, "leggere" acts as a noun representing the act of reading in a general sense. This is similar to using the gerund "reading" in English when stating general truths.
Why is the verb "arricchisce" conjugated in the third-person singular form?
Although "leggere" refers to the general act of reading, it is treated as a singular noun. Therefore, the verb "arricchisce" is conjugated in the third-person singular present tense, just as we say "Reading enriches the mind" in English.
Could the sentence be rephrased using a different subject, such as "la lettura" instead of "leggere"?
Yes, the sentence can also be expressed as "La lettura arricchisce la mente." Both forms are correct and convey the same general truth, although "la lettura" (the reading) directly uses a noun form rather than the infinitive.
What is the reason for the insertion of "-isc-" in the conjugation of "arricchire", resulting in "arricchisce"?
"Arricchire" is one of the "-ire" verbs in Italian that adopt the "-isc-" infix in the present tense (except usually in the first and second person plural forms). This pattern forms conjugations such as "io arricchisco," "tu arricchisci," and "lui/lei arricchisce," helping to distinguish a specific subgroup of "-ire" verbs in Italian.