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Questions & Answers about Il braccialetto è giallo.
What does il mean and why is it used here?
il is the masculine singular definite article in Italian, equivalent to English the. It precedes masculine singular nouns that start with a consonant (except certain clusters), so we use il before braccialetto (bracelet).
Why is it il and not lo before braccialetto?
In Italian, lo is the masculine singular definite article used before nouns beginning with s+consonant (like lo studente), z (like lo zaino), gn, ps, x, y. Since braccialetto starts with a simple b, we use il, not lo.
Why does the adjective giallo come after the noun?
Unlike English, where adjectives usually come before the noun, most Italian adjectives follow the noun they modify. Thus you say braccialetto giallo, and with a verb: il braccialetto è giallo.
Why is the adjective giallo not gialla?
Italian adjectives agree in gender and number with the noun. Braccialetto is a masculine singular noun, so the adjective must also be masculine singular: giallo. If the noun were feminine (for example la porta), you’d say gialla.
Why is the verb è used here?
È is the third-person singular present tense of the verb essere (to be), equivalent to English is. It links the subject il braccialetto to its attribute giallo.
Can I omit il and say Braccialetto è giallo?
Generally no. Italian normally requires the definite article with singular countable nouns in a definitive statement. Omitting il sounds unnatural unless you’ve already introduced the object or are speaking very colloquially. More natural alternatives: Questo braccialetto è giallo (This bracelet is yellow) or simply È giallo if context already makes clear you’re talking about the bracelet.
How do I pronounce braccialetto and giallo?
Braccialetto is pronounced “brah-CHA-let-to,” with cc before i sounding like English ch in church and the stress on LET.
Giallo is pronounced “JAL-lo,” where gi before a gives a j sound (as in jump) and the double ll is held slightly longer than a single l.