Provo un esercizio nuovo sul tappetino da yoga.

I try a new exercise on the yoga mat.

Breakdown of Provo un esercizio nuovo sul tappetino da yoga.

• io: I
• su: on
• provare: to try
• nuovo: new
• l'esercizio: the exercise
• il tappetino da yoga: the yoga mat

Questions & Answers about Provo un esercizio nuovo sul tappetino da yoga.

Why is Provo used here and what does it indicate?

Provo is the first-person singular, present-tense form of the verb provare (to try). It literally means “I try.” Using provo tells us that the speaker themself is attempting the new exercise right now or habitually.

Could I use Faccio un esercizio nuovo instead of Provo un esercizio nuovo?

Yes, but the nuance changes:

• Faccio un esercizio nuovo = “I do a new exercise.” It states that you perform or carry out the exercise.
• Provo un esercizio nuovo = “I try a new exercise.” It emphasizes testing or experimenting with something you haven’t done before.

Why is the adjective nuovo placed after esercizio instead of before it?

In Italian, most descriptive adjectives follow the noun: esercizio nuovo is the neutral, standard order. Placing the adjective after the noun:

• Focuses on the quality (“...exercise that is new”), without special emphasis.
• If you say nuovo esercizio, you can add a slight stylistic or poetic feel or imply a more subjective judgment. In everyday speech, esercizio nuovo is more common.

What is sul in sul tappetino?

Sul is the contraction of the preposition su (on) + the definite article il (the). So sul tappetino literally means su + il tappetino → sul tappetino = “on the mat.”

Why tappetino da yoga and not tappetino per yoga?

• da yoga expresses purpose or use (“for yoga”) in a concise way.
• per lo yoga is grammatically possible but less idiomatic. Italians normally say tappetino da yoga the same way you say scarpe da corsa (running shoes) or abito da sera (evening dress).

Is esercizio masculine or feminine, and how would I make it plural?

Esercizio is masculine.
Singular: l’esercizio nuovo
Plural: gli esercizi nuovi
Notice that il becomes l’ before a vowel in the singular, and gli is the plural article for masculine nouns starting with a vowel or certain consonant clusters.