ELONIO
Log inSign up

Quando l’annaffiatoio è vuoto, lo riempio al rubinetto della cucina.

Quando l’annaffiatoio è vuoto, lo riempio al rubinetto della cucina.
When the watering can is empty, I fill it at the kitchen tap.
FromLesson 43inHardcore Italian

Questions & Answers about Quando l’annaffiatoio è vuoto, lo riempio al rubinetto della cucina.

What does l’annaffiatoio mean and why is the article l’ used instead of il?
Annaffiatoio means watering can. Since the noun begins with a vowel, the masculine singular article il elides to l’.
Why is there a grave accent in è?
È (with a grave accent) is the third-person singular present of essere (to be). The accent distinguishes è (“is”) from e (“and”).
Why is vuoto used here?
Vuoto means empty and comes from the past participle of vuotare. As an adjective it must agree in gender and number with l’annaffiatoio (masculine singular).
What is lo in lo riempio, and why does it come before the verb?
Lo is the third-person masculine singular direct object pronoun (“it”). In Italian present-tense main clauses—and especially after subordinating words like quando—object pronouns go before the verb (proclisis).
What tense and person is riempio?
Riempio is the first-person singular present indicative of riempire (“to fill”). It literally means “I fill.”
What does al mean in al rubinetto?
Al is a contraction of a + il, meaning “at the.” So al rubinetto translates to “at the faucet.”
Why is it della cucina instead of just di cucina?
Della is the contraction of di + la (“of the”). You need the definite article la because you’re referring to a specific kitchen’s faucet.
Why is the present tense used in both clauses instead of the future?
Italian often uses the present tense to describe habitual or general actions. Here, “quando l’annaffiatoio è vuoto” means “whenever it’s empty.” For a one-time future event you could instead say “Quando sarà vuoto, lo riempirò.”
Could I say Lo riempio d’acqua instead of Lo riempio al rubinetto?
Yes. Lo riempio d’acqua means “I fill it with water,” focusing on the contents. Lo riempio al rubinetto specifies where you fill it (“at the faucet”).
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Italian grammar?”
Italian grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.

Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor

Start learning Italian

Master Italian — from Quando l’annaffiatoio è vuoto, lo riempio al rubinetto della cucina to fluency

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.

  • ✓Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
  • ✓Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
  • ✓Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
  • ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions
Open the Italiancourse →