Learn Hardcore Italian: Cancello la scritta dalla lavagna con un panno. - I erase the writing from the blackboard with a cloth.

Cancello is the first person singular present indicative of the verb cancellare, which means “to erase” or “to remove.” Here it literally means “I erase.”

Is cancello ever a noun I should watch out for?

Yes. Spelled the same way, cancello can also be a masculine noun meaning “gate.” In this sentence you know it’s a verb because it’s conjugated (it changes form depending on the subject) and is followed by a direct object (la scritta).

Why is there la before scritta? Is it an article or a pronoun?

Here la is the feminine singular definite article modifying scritta, so la scritta means “the writing” or “the inscription.” It is not a direct-object pronoun in this case.

What exactly is a scritta?

Scritta is a feminine noun derived from the past participle of scrivere. It refers to something written (e.g. lettering, inscription). The masculine form scritto also exists, but since scritta is feminine it matches la scritta.

Why is da + la contracted into dalla?

In Italian, certain prepositions combine with definite articles. Here da (from) plus la (the) contracts to dalla. This contraction is mandatory rather than optional.

What does dalla lavagna mean?

Literally “from the blackboard” or “from the chalkboard.” In modern usage lavagna can also refer to a whiteboard, but the idea is removing something written on the board’s surface.

What role does con un panno play in the sentence?

Con means “with” and un panno means “a cloth.” Together they form an instrumental phrase indicating the tool or means used—you erase with a cloth.

Can I replace la scritta with a pronoun?

Yes. As a feminine singular direct object you would use la. The sentence can become: La cancello dalla lavagna con un panno, meaning “I erase it from the board with a cloth.”

Is the word order fixed? Could I say Cancello dalla lavagna la scritta con un panno?

Italian allows some flexibility in word order. You could say Cancello dalla lavagna la scritta con un panno, though placing the object (la scritta) right after the verb is often more natural.

Could I use a different verb instead of cancellare, like togliere?

You could say Tolgo la scritta dalla lavagna. Togliere means “to take away” or “to remove.” However, cancellare specifically conveys erasing marks or writing, which better suits wiping chalk or marker off a board.