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Durante la tempesta si chiudono tutte le finestre e si abbassa la tenda.

Durante la tempesta si chiudono tutte le finestre e si abbassa la tenda.
During the storm one closes all the windows and lowers the curtain.
FromLesson 43inHardcore Italian

Breakdown of Durante la tempesta si chiudono tutte le finestre e si abbassa la tenda.

la finestra
the window
chiudere
to close
e
and
durante
during
tutto
all
abbassare
to lower
si
one
la tenda
the curtain
la tempesta
the storm

Questions & Answers about Durante la tempesta si chiudono tutte le finestre e si abbassa la tenda.

What is the function of si in this sentence?
In Italian, si can form an impersonal or “passive” construction. Here it means “one closes” or “the windows are closed,” without specifying who does it. It’s equivalent to English “they/people close…” or simply the passive “are closed.”
Why do the verbs change form in “si chiudono tutte le finestre” (third-person plural) but in “si abbassa la tenda” they’re third-person singular?

When you use impersonal si, the verb agrees with the subject that follows:

  • tutte le finestre is plural, so chiudono
  • la tenda is singular, so abbassa
Could I rephrase “si chiudono tutte le finestre” as “le finestre si chiudono tutte”?

Yes. Italian allows flexible word order.

  • Si chiudono tutte le finestre (impersonal focus)
  • Le finestre si chiudono tutte (topic focus, emphasizing “the windows”)

Both mean “all the windows get closed.”

What’s the difference between using si and saying vengono chiuse tutte le finestre?

Both convey a passive idea, but:

  • Si chiudono tutte le finestre is simpler and more common in spoken Italian.
  • Vengono chiuse tutte le finestre is a true passive (literally “all the windows are being closed”), slightly more formal.
Why is durante used instead of quando here? Could I say “Quando c’è la tempesta…”?
  • Durante means “during,” emphasizing the entire storm period.
  • Quando c’è la tempesta means “when there is a storm,” and is perfectly correct but less focused on the duration.

Your choice depends on nuance: “Durante la tempesta” stresses “throughout the storm.”

Why is there a definite article in la tempesta and tutte le finestre?

Italian uses definite articles more than English. Here they specify:

  • la tempesta = “the (specific) storm we’re talking about”
  • tutte le finestre = “all the windows (in this house/room)”
What does abbassare la tenda literally mean, and can I say tirare giù la tenda instead?
  • Abbassare la tenda literally “to lower the blind/curtain.”
  • Tirare giù la tenda also means “to pull the curtain/blind down.”
    Both are correct; tirare giù is more colloquial and pictures the action of pulling.
Why is tutte placed before le finestre? Could I say le finestre tutte?
  • Tutte le finestre is the standard order: quantifier + article + noun.
  • Le finestre tutte is also possible but sounds emphatic or poetic, stressing “all the windows” after introducing “the windows.” It’s less neutral.
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