Learn Hardcore Italian: La coinquilina è occupata oggi; magari ceniamo domani. - The roommate is busy today; maybe we’ll have dinner tomorrow.

It means a female person you share a dwelling with—so “housemate/flatmate.” In American English it’s often translated as “roommate,” even if you don’t literally share the same bedroom. If you mean someone who shares your room, you’d say compagna di stanza. Masculine: coinquilino; plurals: coinquiline (fem.), coinquilini (masc./mixed).

Why is it la coinquilina and not una coinquilina or la mia coinquilina?

La coinquilina uses the definite article to refer to a specific, context-known roommate (the one you’ve been talking about).
Una coinquilina would mean “a roommate” (non-specific).
If you want “my roommate,” Italian normally uses the article with possessives: la mia coinquilina (not just “mia coinquilina”).

Why does occupata end in -a? Could it be occupato?

Adjectives agree with the noun. Coinquilina is feminine singular, so the adjective is occupata.

Masculine singular: occupato
Feminine plural: occupate
Masculine/mixed plural: occupati

Is there a difference between occupata and impegnata?

Both can mean “busy,” but there’s a nuance:

occupata = tied up/occupied (by something right now or in a general sense).
impegnata = engaged with commitments/has plans (schedule-wise).
In your sentence, either è occupata oggi or è impegnata oggi works. For calendars, impegnata often feels a bit more natural.

Why is it è occupata and not sta occupata?

With adjectives like “busy,” Italian normally uses essere: è occupata. Stare is common with locations/positions (sta seduta), health/temporary states (sto bene), or the progressive (sta lavorando). Sta occupata sounds odd; say è occupata.

What does the semicolon do here? Could I use something else?

The semicolon separates two related independent clauses. You could also use:

A period: … oggi. Magari ceniamo domani.
A comma plus a connector: … oggi, quindi/perciò magari ceniamo domani.
In informal writing, a comma alone is common but less standard.

What does magari mean here, and does it have other uses?

Here, magari softens a suggestion: “maybe/how about we have dinner tomorrow.” Other common uses:

Hope/wish (often with the imperfect subjunctive): Magari avessi tempo! = “If only I had time!”
Tentative “maybe/perhaps”: Magari domani non riesco.
On its own: Magari! = “I wish!/If only!”

Why does ceniamo mean “let’s have dinner”? Isn’t that just the present tense?

Italian often uses the first-person plural present to propose joint action. Ceniamo can mean “we have dinner” or “let’s have dinner.” The noi imperative is identical in form: Ceniamo! Context (and words like magari) make the “let’s” reading clear.

Could I say forse ceniamo domani instead of magari ceniamo domani?

You can, but the nuance shifts:

magari ceniamo domani = a friendly suggestion/hope.
forse ceniamo domani = “perhaps we’ll have dinner tomorrow” (more about uncertainty than proposing).
You might also hear the future with forse: Forse ceneremo domani.

Do I need to say noi ceniamo?

No. Italian is a pro-drop language: the verb ending shows the subject. Ceniamo already means “we have dinner.” Noi ceniamo is used for emphasis or contrast.

Can oggi and domani go in different positions in the sentence?

Yes. All are fine, with slight differences in emphasis:

La coinquilina è occupata oggi.
Oggi la coinquilina è occupata.
Magari domani ceniamo.
Ceniamo domani, magari. (softer/afterthought)

What’s the difference between e and è? I see a mark on è.

e (no accent) = “and.”
è (grave accent) = “is” (third-person singular of essere).
They are not interchangeable. At the start of a sentence, it’s È with a capital accented letter.

Does domani need a preposition, like a domani?

Not in this sentence. You just say ceniamo domani. A domani! is a set farewell meaning “see you tomorrow.”

How do I say “tomorrow evening” or “tomorrow night” in this context?

Use domani sera: Magari ceniamo domani sera. You can also be specific: domani a cena = “at dinner tomorrow,” but for proposing the meal itself, ceniamo domani (sera) is most natural.

Is magari ceniamo domani a question or a statement? Should I add a question mark?

It’s a statement that functions as a soft suggestion. You can also write Magari ceniamo domani? to make the suggestive tone even clearer. Other polite options: Magari potremmo cenare domani or Perché non ceniamo domani?

Is there a difference between ceniamo, andiamo a cena, and facciamo cena?

All can work, with slight nuances:

ceniamo = “let’s have dinner” (neutral and common).
andiamo a cena = “let’s go out to dinner” (often implies going somewhere).
facciamo cena = “let’s do/have dinner” (everyday, slightly more colloquial/regional in some areas).

Is coinquilina the same as inquilina?

No.

coinquilina = a woman who shares your apartment/house.
inquilina = a female tenant (of a property), not necessarily sharing with you.

How do you pronounce coinquilina?

Roughly “co-in-kwee-LEE-na.” Tips:

qu = “kw.”
The stress falls on -li-: coinquilìna.
The “n” before “qu” is often a nasal sound, blending into the following “k/kw.”