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Questions & Answers about Il pianeta è piccolo.
Why is there a definite article il before pianeta, when in English we often say “Planet is small”?
In Italian, singular countable nouns normally require a definite article when you talk about them in a general or specific sense. So il pianeta translates literally to “the planet.” Dropping il (e.g. Pianeta è piccolo) would sound ungrammatical unless you’re using a very poetic or telegraphic style.
Why is pianeta masculine (using il), even though it ends in -a?
Most Italian nouns ending in -a are feminine, but there are exceptions. Words borrowed from Greek, like pianeta (from Greek πλανήτης), remain masculine. Other examples include problema, programma, and sistema, all masculine despite their -a endings.
Why does the adjective piccolo come after the noun, instead of before as in English?
In Italian, the default position for descriptive adjectives is after the noun (noun + adjective). This order highlights objective or inherent qualities. Placing piccolo before pianeta (i.e. piccolo pianeta) is possible but often conveys a more poetic, emotional, or subjective nuance.
Why is the verb essere (è) used here instead of stare?
Essere expresses identity, characteristics, or states of being, so it fits descriptions like “X is small.” Stare is used for location (e.g. dove sta?) or idiomatic expressions (e.g. sto bene). To describe an inherent quality such as the size of a planet, you always use essere.
How does piccolo agree in gender and number with pianeta?
Italian adjectives must agree with the noun they modify. Pianeta is singular masculine, so piccolo also takes the singular masculine ending -o. If you said i pianeti sono piccoli, you have plural masculine for both the noun (i pianeti) and the adjective (piccoli).
How do I pronounce pianeta è piccolo correctly?
Break it into syllables and mind Italian vowel sounds:
• pi-a-nè-ta [pya-NEH-ta]
• è [EH] (short open E)
• pic-co-lo [PEE-kko-lo]
Make the double cc in piccolo a strong “k-k” sound. Nice even rhythm: pya-NEH-ta EH PEE-kkoh-lo.