Learn Hardcore Italian: Il pedale della tua bici fa un rumore strano, controlliamolo. - The pedal of your bike makes a strange noise; let’s check it.

della is the contraction of di (of) + la (the). In Italian you can’t say di tua bici alone because a definite article is required before a singular, specific noun. Since bici is feminine singular, you get di + la tua bici = della tua bici.

Why does the sentence use the definite article il before pedale (“Il pedale”)?

In Italian, common nouns typically take a definite article even when they’re subjects. Saying il pedale makes it clear you’re talking about that specific pedal. English often drops the “the” (“your bike’s pedal”), but Italian normally keeps il, la, etc.

Why is the possessor (tua bici) placed after the noun instead of before, as in English “your bike’s pedal”?

Italian expresses possession with the structure noun + di + possessor. So you say il pedale (the pedal) + di (of) + article + tua bici → il pedale della tua bici. English uses ’s or “of your bike,” but Italian always follows this order.

What does fa un rumore strano literally mean, and why is fare used here?

Literally, fa is the 3rd person singular of fare (to do/make), so fa un rumore strano means “it makes a strange noise.” Italian commonly uses fare to talk about producing sounds (just as you’d say fa caldo, “it’s hot”). Here you’re describing what noise the pedal is making.

Why is there an indefinite article un in un rumore strano even though we know which noise it is?

You’re describing a type of noise (“a strange noise”), not naming a previously mentioned or uniquely identified sound. Italian, like English, uses un when you refer to one instance or kind of something in a non-specific way.

What verb form is controlliamolo, and how is it constructed?

Controlliamolo is the imperative for noi (let’s …) from the verb controllare. You take the present tense noi controlliamo and attach the direct object pronoun -lo (it) to get controlliamolo – literally, “let’s check it.”

Why is the pronoun -lo attached after the verb here, instead of placed before like in English?

In affirmative imperatives (including the noi “let’s” form), Italian requires enclitic (attached) pronouns. So instead of saying something like lo controlliamo (we check it – indicative), you say controlliamolo to form a suggestion/command.

What does the pronoun lo refer to in controlliamolo – the pedal or the noise?

It refers to il pedale (masculine singular). Even though you mention the noise, the action implied is “let’s check the pedal.” The pronoun agrees in gender and number with pedale, not rumore (which is also masculine singular, but context points to the pedal as the thing to inspect).

Could I say controllalo instead? What’s the difference?

Yes. Controllalo is the tu imperative (“check it!”) told to one person. Controlliamolo is the noi imperative (“let’s check it”) including the speaker. Use controllalo when you want someone else to do it on their own.

Could you also say dobbiamo controllarlo instead of controlliamolo? How does that change the nuance?

Yes. Dobbiamo controllarlo (“we have to check it”) uses dovere + infinitive to express necessity or obligation. Controlliamolo (“let’s check it”) is a direct suggestion or invitation to act immediately, without explicitly stating “we must.”