Learn Hardcore Italian: Quando il lampione si accende, il cortile diventa dorato. - When the streetlight turns on, the courtyard becomes golden.

The noun lampione means street lamp or lamp post. It’s masculine singular, so it takes the definite article il in the sentence. In Italian we often use definite articles where English leaves them out.

What does cortile mean and why is it il cortile here?

Cortile means courtyard. It’s also masculine singular, so it appears with il when we speak of a specific courtyard. Here the sentence refers to that particular courtyard lighting up.

What does dorato mean and how is it formed?

Dorato means golden or gilded. It’s formed from the noun oro (gold) plus the adjective-forming suffix -ato. Because cortile is masculine singular, the adjective takes the form dorato.

Why do we say si accende instead of just accende?

Here accendersi is a pronominal (inchoative) verb meaning “to light up” or “to switch itself on.” The si indicates that the action happens by itself (the lamp lights up). You can’t drop si and still keep that meaning.

Why is the present tense used in both clauses?

The present indicative can describe habitual or general truths. Quando il lampione si accende, il cortile diventa dorato tells us what always happens whenever the lamp lights up. In English you could say Whenever the lamp goes on, the courtyard turns golden.

Why is there a comma after the quando-clause?

In Italian, when a subordinate clause (introduced by quando) comes before the main clause, you separate them with a comma. If you flip the order, the comma becomes optional.

Could I use appena instead of quando to mean as soon as?

Yes. Appena + indicative also means as soon as. You could say:
• Appena il lampione si accende, il cortile diventa dorato.
This version highlights the immediacy of the action.

Can I invert the clauses without changing the meaning?

Absolutely. Both versions mean the same:
• Quando il lampione si accende, il cortile diventa dorato.
• Il cortile diventa dorato quando il lampione si accende.
Just remember the comma is optional if the main clause comes first.