Learn Hardcore Italian: Domani mattina dobbiamo firmare un documento al municipio. - Tomorrow morning we have to sign a document at the town hall.

Italian often uses the present indicative of modal verbs like dovere to express a scheduled obligation in the near future. Dobbiamo firmare literally means “we have to sign” or “we’re signing” tomorrow. You could use dovremo firmare (“we will have to sign”), but that shifts the nuance toward a simple future prediction instead of a current obligation.

What is the function of al in al municipio? Why not just a municipio?

Al is the contraction of a + il. In Italian, when you indicate location with a, you usually include the definite article il, so a + il municipio → al municipio. Saying a municipio would sound incorrect.

Why is it un documento and not il documento?

Un documento uses the indefinite article because you’re referring to any document, not a specific one already known to you or your listener. If you meant a particular document you both know about, you’d say il documento.

Why is there no article before mattina in domani mattina? Could we say la mattina di domani?

Time expressions like domani mattina typically omit the article in Italian. While la mattina di domani is grammatically correct, it sounds more formal or literary and is less common in everyday speech.

Can domani mattina be placed at the end of the sentence? Does word order matter?

Italian word order is flexible, especially for time phrases. You can say Dobbiamo firmare un documento al municipio domani mattina without changing the meaning. Placing domani mattina at the beginning simply emphasizes the time.

What’s the difference between firmare and scrivere?

Firmare means “to sign” (to put your signature on something). Scrivere means “to write” (letters, words, a text). You firmare un documento but you scrivere una lettera.

Why is firmare in the infinitive form after dobbiamo?

In Italian, modal verbs like dovere, potere, and volere are followed by the infinitive of another verb. So dobbiamo firmare = “we have to sign,” where firmare remains in the infinitive.

Is municipio the same as comune? What does municipio refer to exactly?

They’re related but not identical. Municipio usually refers to the building or office where municipal services are provided (town hall or city hall). Comune refers to the local government or municipality as an administrative entity. You go to al municipio (to the town hall) for paperwork, which is run by the Comune.

Could we use firmiamo instead of dobbiamo firmare? What difference would that make?

Firmiamo simply means “we sign” or “we are signing.” Saying Domani mattina firmiamo un documento al municipio communicates the action but doesn’t stress obligation. Dobbiamo firmare explicitly adds “we have to sign,” highlighting necessity.