A colazione mangio yogurt con cereali e miele.

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Breakdown of A colazione mangio yogurt con cereali e miele.

• con: with
• e: and
• mangiare: to eat

Questions & Answers about A colazione mangio yogurt con cereali e miele.

Why is it a colazione and not just colazione?

A colazione is an idiomatic expression meaning at breakfast or for breakfast.

The preposition a is commonly used with meals:

• a colazione = at breakfast
• a pranzo = at lunch
• a cena = at dinner

So A colazione mangio... means At breakfast, I eat... / For breakfast, I eat...

Could I also say per colazione?

Yes. Per colazione is also very common.

The difference is slight:

• A colazione mangio yogurt... = At breakfast, I eat yogurt...
• Per colazione mangio yogurt... = For breakfast, I eat yogurt...

In many everyday situations, both work well. A colazione can sound a little more like setting the scene; per colazione can sound a little more like specifying the meal choice.

Why is there no io before mangio?

Italian usually leaves out subject pronouns when they are already clear from the verb ending.

• mangio = I eat
• the ending -o already tells you it is I

So:

• Mangio yogurt = I eat yogurt

You only add io when you want emphasis, contrast, or clarity:

• Io mangio yogurt, lui mangia biscotti.
  I eat yogurt, he eats cookies.