Learn Hardcore Italian: Sei così puntuale come un orologio svizzero oggi! - You are as punctual as a Swiss watch today!

In Italian, subject pronouns like tu are often dropped because the verb ending shows the subject. Sei is the second-person singular form of essere (“to be”), so tu is unnecessary.

What tense and person is sei?

It’s the present indicative, second person singular, of essere (“to be”).

What does the structure così … come mean?

It’s a comparison of equality, equivalent to as … as in English. Here, così puntuale come means as punctual as.

Could I say sei più puntuale di un orologio svizzero?

Yes, but that changes the meaning to you are more punctual than a Swiss watch. If you want to express equality (as punctual as), use così … come.

Could I also say sei tanto puntuale quanto un orologio svizzero?

Yes. Tanto … quanto can also express equality (as … as). It’s slightly more formal than così … come.

Why is there no article before puntuale?

When an adjective follows essere directly as a predicate, it doesn’t need an article. You’d use an article if you include a noun (e.g., sei una persona puntuale), but here puntuale stands alone.

What is the significance of un orologio svizzero?

It’s an idiomatic simile. Swiss watches are famous for precision and reliability, so saying someone is puntuale come un orologio svizzero emphasizes they’re very punctual.

Why is oggi at the end of the sentence?

Oggi (“today”) can appear at the beginning or end. Placing it at the end is common in Italian and gives a natural rhythm.

Is it okay to say sei puntualissimo come un orologio svizzero?

It’s possible but a bit redundant. Puntualissimo is a superlative (“very punctual”), and combining a superlative with come (as … as) is unusual. Better stick with the base adjective puntuale for comparisons.