Breakdown of Il libro danneggiato è prezioso, ma complesso da leggere.
essere
to be
il libro
the book
leggere
to read
ma
but
prezioso
precious
complesso
complex
da
to
danneggiato
damaged
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Questions & Answers about Il libro danneggiato è prezioso, ma complesso da leggere.
Why is danneggiato in the masculine singular form?
Because danneggiato is an adjective (a past participle of danneggiare) modifying libro, which is a masculine singular noun. Adjectives in Italian must agree in gender and number with the nouns they describe.
Why does danneggiato come after libro? Could I say “il danneggiato libro”?
Most participle-based adjectives in Italian follow the noun they modify. So “il libro danneggiato” is the standard order. Putting danneggiato before would sound odd or poetic; it’s best to keep it after the noun.
What role does ma play in the sentence?
Ma means but and introduces a contrast. Here it links two qualities of the same subject (the book): on one hand it’s prezioso, on the other hand it’s complesso da leggere.
Why isn’t there a second è before complesso da leggere?
Italian often shares the verb across coordinated phrases. We have one copula è (is) before prezioso, and then coordinate the second adjective phrase with ma. Repeating è (“…è prezioso, ma è complesso…”) is not wrong, but it’s more concise to omit it.
What does complesso da leggere literally mean?
Literally complesso means “complex,” and da leggere means “to read.” Together they form a semi-fixed structure: “complex to read,” i.e. “difficult or challenging to read.”
Could I replace complesso da leggere with difficile da leggere?
Yes. Difficile da leggere is a more direct way to say “hard to read.” Complesso da leggere slightly emphasizes complexity of content or structure, but the two are interchangeable in most contexts.
Why is there no definite article before complesso or prezioso?
Because prezioso and complesso da leggere are predicate adjectives, not nouns. In Italian, predicate adjectives following the verb essere (to be) do not take an article.
Is danneggiato here a verb or an adjective?
In this sentence it functions as an adjective (a past participle used attributively). It describes the state of the book (“damaged book”), not an action happening now.
How do I pronounce danneggiato?
The stress is on the third syllable from the end: dan-neg-GIA-to ([danːedˈdʒaːto]). The double g before i produces a /dʒ/ sound, like English “j” in “jam.”
Could I rearrange the sentence to say “Il libro, danneggiato e prezioso, è complesso da leggere”?
Yes, that’s grammatically correct. You’d be using a parenthetical phrase (danneggiato e prezioso) and then stating the final property. Stylistically it shifts the emphasis, but it’s a valid alternative.