Lucia legge un libro in giardino.

Lucia reads a book in the garden.

Breakdown of Lucia legge un libro in giardino.

• il libro: the book
• in: in
• il giardino: the garden
• leggere: to read
• Lucia: Lucia

Questions & Answers about Lucia legge un libro in giardino.

In Italian, does legge mean reads or is reading?

Both. The simple present in Italian covers habitual and right-now actions, so Lucia legge can mean Lucia reads or Lucia is reading. If you want to emphasize an action happening right now, use the progressive: Lucia sta leggendo un libro in giardino.

Why is it legge and not leggi or leggo?

Because legge is the third-person singular (he/she) of the verb leggere. Present-tense forms:

• io leggo (I read)
• tu leggi (you read, singular)
• lui/lei legge (he/she reads)
• noi leggiamo (we read)
• voi leggete (you read, plural)
• loro leggono (they read)

Is legge also the word for law? How do I tell the difference?

Yes, legge can be the noun law (as in la legge) or the verb form reads (as in lei legge). Context and articles make it clear:

• Noun: la legge punishes…
• Verb: Lucia legge a book…

Why is it un libro and not il libro?

Un libro means a book (new, unspecified information). Il libro means the book (specific/known to speaker and listener). Since the book isn’t specified, un is used. Note: libro is masculine; the masculine indefinite is un (or uno before s+consonant, z, ps, gn, x).

What’s the nuance between in giardino and nel giardino? Can I say al giardino?

• in giardino: general or neutral location, like out in the garden.
• nel giardino (in + il): in the garden (a specific one).
• al giardino (a + il): usually odd; use al with places like al parco, al ristorante. You might see al giardino pubblico when a specific public garden is meant, but for a home garden, prefer in giardino or nel giardino.

Can I change the word order?

Yes, Italian allows flexibility for emphasis:

• Neutral: Lucia legge un libro in giardino.
• Focus on place: In giardino, Lucia legge un libro.
• Focus on what: Un libro, Lucia lo legge in giardino. (marked/emphatic) The basic SVO order is most common in neutral statements.

Why is there no subject pronoun like she?

Italian usually drops subject pronouns because the verb ending shows the subject. Here the subject is explicitly named (Lucia). You could say Lei legge…, but it’s unnecessary and Lei can also mean formal you, so avoid it unless context requires it.

How do I make the sentence negative?

Put non before the verb: Lucia non legge un libro in giardino. For stronger negation of the object: Lucia non legge nessun libro in giardino.

How do I turn this into a question?

• Yes/No: keep the same order and use rising intonation: Lucia legge un libro in giardino?
• With a question word:
  • What is she reading? Che cosa (Cosa) legge Lucia in giardino?
  • Where is she reading? Dove legge Lucia un libro?

How do I replace un libro with a pronoun?

If the book is now specific from context, use the direct object pronoun lo (masculine singular): Lucia lo legge in giardino. In the past: Lucia lo ha letto in giardino. With a feminine noun, it becomes la and the participle agrees: Lucia l’ha letta.

How do I say it in the plural?

• General plural: Lucia legge libri in giardino.
• Some books: Lucia legge dei libri in giardino or Lucia legge alcuni libri in giardino.

How do I put it in the past?

• Completed action (passato prossimo): Lucia ha letto un libro in giardino.
• Ongoing/used to (imperfetto): Lucia leggeva un libro in giardino (she was reading/used to read).

How do I add an adjective like interesting?

Adjectives usually follow the noun: un libro interessante. So: Lucia legge un libro interessante in giardino. Fronting the adjective (un interessante libro) is possible but more formal/literary.

How do I say in her garden?

Use the article with the possessive: nel suo giardino. Example: Lucia legge un libro nel suo giardino. Don’t say in suo giardino.

Is there a difference between giardino and cortile?

Yes:

• giardino: a garden/yard with grass, plants, flowers.
• cortile: a courtyard, typically paved/enclosed. Choose based on the kind of space.

How do I pronounce the words?

• Lucia: loo-CHEE-ah (the ci is like ch in cheap).
• legge: LEH-djeh (the gg before e sounds like j in judge).
• un: oon.
• libro: LEE-broh.
• in: een.
• giardino: jar-DEE-no (the gi sounds like j in jar).