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Durante la lezione alzo la mano per fare una domanda.

Durante la lezione alzo la mano per fare una domanda.
During the lesson I raise my hand to ask a question.
FromLesson 58inHardcore Italian

Questions & Answers about Durante la lezione alzo la mano per fare una domanda.

Why is it "alzo la mano" and not "alzo la mia mano"?
Italian normally uses the definite article with body parts when the owner is clear from context. So alzo la mano means “I raise my hand.” You’d use a possessive only for emphasis or contrast: alzo la mia mano, non la tua.
Is "mi alzo la mano" correct?
No. Alzarsi is reflexive and means “to get up/stand up.” Here you need the transitive verb alzare (“to raise [something]”): alzo la mano. Mi alzo alone means “I stand up.”
Why is "mano" feminine?

Mano is an irregular feminine noun ending in -o. Forms:

Can I say "chiedere una domanda"?

No. Use:

  • fare una domanda or porre una domanda = to ask a question.
  • chiedere or domandare
    • thing + to someone: chiedere/domandare qualcosa a qualcuno (e.g., chiedo un chiarimento al professore). Avoid chiedere/domandare una domanda.
Can I use "per chiedere" instead of "per fare una domanda"?
Yes, if you specify what you’re asking: per chiedere un chiarimento / per chiedere se…. If you just mean “to ask a question” in general, per fare (o porre) una domanda is better.
What’s the difference between "durante" and "mentre"?
  • durante
  • mentre
    • verb clause: mentre sono a lezione, alzo la mano; mentre il professore spiega, alzo la mano. You cannot say mentre la lezione without a verb.
Why is there no "io" before "alzo"?
Italian drops subject pronouns because verb endings show the subject. Alzo (ending -o) already means “I raise.” Use io for emphasis/contrast: Io alzo la mano, lui no.
Why present simple "alzo" and not "sto alzando"?
Italian uses the simple present for habits and many present actions. Sto alzando la mano is reserved for something happening right this moment (live narration).
Could I say "a lezione" or "in classe" instead of "durante la lezione"?

Yes, with nuances:

  • A lezione = when I’m in class/at the lecture: A lezione alzo spesso la mano.
  • In classe = in the classroom (place), also common: In classe alzo la mano.
  • Durante la lezione emphasizes the time span of the lesson.
Why use "lezione" and not "classe"?
  • lezione = a class session/lesson.
  • classe = the group of students or the classroom. So durante la classe is not idiomatic for “during class.”
Why the definite article in "la lezione" and "la mano"?
  • la lezione: a specific, known class session (you could say durante una lezione if you mean “during a lesson” in general).
  • la mano: body parts typically take the definite article when the possessor is obvious.
Are "porre" or "rivolgere" a question also correct?

Yes:

Should I use "per", "a", or "perché" before an infinitive of purpose?

Use per + infinitive to express purpose: per fare una domanda.
Don’t use a + infinitive for purpose (that follows certain verbs/adjectives: imparare a fare).
Don’t use perché + infinitive; perché with a finite verb can mean “because,” or “so that” with the subjunctive in more formal style: Parlo piano perché tu capisca.

Does "fare domanda" (without the article) mean the same thing?
No. Fare domanda (no article) means “to apply” (e.g., fare domanda di ammissione). For asking a question, use fare una domanda.
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