A Pasqua, se il tempo è bello, mangiamo in giardino; a Ferragosto, invece, andiamo in spiaggia.

to be

Breakdown of A Pasqua, se il tempo è bello, mangiamo in giardino; a Ferragosto, invece, andiamo in spiaggia.

• in: in
• il giardino: the garden
• andare: to go

Questions & Answers about A Pasqua, se il tempo è bello, mangiamo in giardino; a Ferragosto, invece, andiamo in spiaggia.

Why does Italian use a in a Pasqua and a Ferragosto?

With many feast days and holidays, Italian often uses a to mean at / on that occasion.

• a Pasqua = at Easter / on Easter
• a Ferragosto = at Ferragosto / on August 15th

This is a normal pattern with certain holidays and special days.

Why is there no article before Pasqua or Ferragosto?

Because Pasqua and Ferragosto are being used as names of holidays, not as common nouns with a specific article.

So Italian says:

• a Pasqua
• a Ferragosto

not usually alla Pasqua or al Ferragosto in this kind of sentence.

What exactly is Ferragosto?

Ferragosto is an important Italian holiday on August 15th. It is associated with summer vacations, trips, beaches, outdoor meals, and generally the height of summer in Italy.

So in this sentence, a Ferragosto naturally fits with andiamo in spiaggia.

Why does tempo mean weather here? Doesn’t it usually mean time?