Learn Hardcore Italian: Il bambino vuole patate fritte adesso.

Italian normally requires an article before singular common nouns, even when speaking generally (unlike English, which often drops “the”). Il is the masculine singular definite article used because bambino is a masculine noun starting with a consonant. It literally means “the child” or “the little boy.”

Why is there no subject pronoun like lui in Il bambino vuole patate fritte adesso?

Italian is a pro-drop language: the verb ending on vuole (–e) already indicates third person singular (“he” or “she”). Since you’ve specified il bambino, adding lui would be redundant unless you want extra emphasis:
“Il bambino (lui) vuole…” is grammatically possible but usually unnecessary.

How is vuole formed and what does it mean?

Vuole is the third person singular present indicative of the irregular verb volere (“to want”). Its full present-tense conjugation is:
io voglio, tu vuoi, lui/lei vuole, noi vogliamo, voi volete, loro vogliono.
Here, vuole means “he wants.”

Why can volere be followed directly by a noun (patate fritte) instead of an infinitive?

When expressing a desire for something (an object), Italian allows volere + direct object without an infinitive.
Example: Vuole patate fritte = “He wants fries.”
If you want to emphasize the action “to eat,” you can add the infinitive:
Il bambino vuole mangiare patate fritte (“The child wants to eat fried potatoes”).

When should I use a partitive like delle patate fritte instead of just patate fritte?

The partitive article delle (“some”) specifies an indefinite quantity:
Vorrei delle patate fritte = “I’d like some fries.”
Omitting the article (as in vuole patate fritte) still conveys “wants fries” in a general or less formal sense. Both are correct; using delle is often more polite or precise.

Why is the adjective fritte placed after patate?

Most Italian adjectives—especially past participles used as adjectives—follow the noun:
patate fritte = “potatoes fried.”
This noun-adjective order is standard for clarity. Some adjectives can precede the noun for stylistic emphasis, but not past participles in everyday descriptions.

Can I say patatine fritte instead of patate fritte, and what’s the difference?

Yes. Patatine is the diminutive plural of patata, emphasizing small pieces (like typical French fries). Patate fritte is a more general “fried potatoes.” Both are used interchangeably; patatine fritte often feels more colloquial or “snacky.”

Why is adesso at the end of the sentence, and can I move it?

Adverbs like adesso (“now”) often appear after the verb or at the sentence end in Italian. You can also move it without changing meaning, though emphasis shifts slightly:
• Adesso il bambino vuole patate fritte.
• Il bambino adesso vuole patate fritte.
• Il bambino vuole patate fritte adesso.
All are correct; choice depends on rhythm and focus.

What’s the nuance between adesso and ora?

Both mean “now.” Adesso is slightly more colloquial and immediate, while ora is neutral and can also refer to “the hour.” In most contexts they’re interchangeable:
Il bambino vuole patate fritte ora.