Learn Hardcore Italian: Ricevo una notifica sul telefono quando arriva un messaggio. - I receive a notification on my phone when a message arrives.

Ricevo is the first person singular present indicative of ricevere (“to receive”). In Italian, the present tense often expresses habitual or repeated actions (“I receive a notification whenever…”). You could use the future (riceverò) if you want to emphasize “I will receive a notification,” but for routines or general facts, the present is preferred.

What gender is notifica, and why do we use una notifica?

Notifica ends in -a, so it’s a feminine noun. The indefinite article for feminine singular nouns is una. Hence una notifica = “a notification.” You wouldn’t say un notifica because un is masculine.

Why is it sul telefono? What does sul stand for?

Sul is a contraction of su (“on”) + il (“the” for masculine singular). So su + il telefono → sul telefono, meaning “on the phone.”

Could I say sul telefonino or sul cellulare instead of sul telefono?

Yes. Telefonino (diminutive) and cellulare are common synonyms for “phone.” The contraction rule stays the same: su + il telefonino = sul telefonino, su + il cellulare = sul cellulare.

What’s the difference between sul telefono and al telefono?

Sul telefono = “on the phone” as a device (where notifications appear).
Al telefono = “on the phone” as in “engaged in a call” (e.g., parlare al telefono = “to speak on the phone”).

How does quando function here?

Quando is a subordinating conjunction meaning “when.” It introduces a temporal clause. Here it sets the condition/time: quando arriva un messaggio = “when a message arrives.”

Why is arriva in the third person singular?

The subject of that clause is un messaggio (third person singular), so the verb arrivare must agree in third person singular: arriva.

Can we use an indirect object pronoun with arrivare, like mi arriva un messaggio?

Yes. Italians often say mi arriva un messaggio, using the dative pronoun mi (“to me”) with intransitive verbs: literally “a message arrives to me.” It’s very common in spoken Italian.

Why is un messaggio singular? Could it be plural?

Using the singular indefinite (un messaggio) highlights each incoming message as a trigger. If you want to talk about messages in general, you can pluralize: quando arrivano messaggi = “when messages arrive.” Both are correct; the singular focuses on any single message.

Is the word order fixed? Can I start with the quando clause?

You can invert the order without changing meaning:
Quando arriva un messaggio, ricevo una notifica sul telefono.
Italian allows subordinate clauses before or after the main clause.