Learn Hardcore Italian: Il tecnico testa la stampante.

In Italian you generally use the definite article before nouns—even job titles—when making statements. So tecnico becomes il tecnico. Omitting it sounds incomplete or like a headline.

What does testa mean in this sentence? Why doesn’t it mean head?

Here testa is the third-person singular present tense of the verb testare, meaning he or she tests. Although it’s spelled like the noun testa (meaning head), context and pronunciation tell you it’s a verb.

What is the infinitive of this verb and how do I conjugate it in the present tense?

The infinitive is testare (to test). Present-tense conjugation: • io testo
• tu testi
• lui/lei testa
• noi testiamo
• voi testate
• loro testano

How is the verb testa pronounced, and how do I distinguish it from the noun testa?

As a verb (testa, he or she tests) the stress is on the second syllable: te-STA. As the noun (tèsta, head) the stress is on the first syllable: TES-ta. Written form is identical, so use stress and context to differentiate.

Why is stampante feminine, and why do we say la stampante?

Many Italian nouns ending in -ante (especially device names) are feminine, so you use la. Also, Italian normally requires a definite article before singular countable nouns.

How can I replace la stampante with a direct object pronoun in this sentence?

Use the pronoun la before the verb:
Il tecnico la testa.
This means the technician tests it (referring to the printer).

What’s the difference between testare and provare?

testare is more formal or technical, implying a systematic evaluation (e.g. testing equipment or software). provare is more general, meaning to try or to test in everyday contexts (e.g. provare un vestito).

How do I turn this sentence into the passive voice?

You have two common options:
1) Using essere:
La stampante è testata dal tecnico.
2) Using venire:
La stampante viene testata dal tecnico.
Both mean the printer is tested by the technician.