Scrivo l’indirizzo a mano sul foglietto.

In Italian, the subject pronoun is often omitted because the verb ending already shows who the subject is.

• scrivo = I write
• The ending -o tells you it is io

So Scrivo l’indirizzo... naturally means I write the address...

You could say Io scrivo l’indirizzo..., but that usually adds emphasis, such as I write it, not someone else.

L’ is the shortened form of the definite article lo.

• lo indirizzo becomes l’indirizzo

This happens because indirizzo begins with a vowel. Italian often drops the final vowel of the article before another vowel.

So:

• lo + indirizzo → l’indirizzo

L’indirizzo means the address, while un indirizzo means an address.

The sentence uses the definite article, so it refers to a specific address, not just any address. In many contexts, Italian uses the definite article where English also uses the.

• Scrivo l’indirizzo = I write the address
• Scrivo un indirizzo = I write an address

A mano means by hand or by handwriting, as opposed to typing, printing, or using a machine.

It is a fixed expression:

• scrivere a mano = to write by hand
• fatto a mano = made by hand

So in this sentence, a mano tells you the address is being written manually.

Because a mano is the normal Italian expression for by hand.

• scrivere a mano = to write by hand

Con la mano literally means with the hand, and it usually sounds more physical or literal, not like the standard expression for handwriting something.

So if you want to express the method of writing, a mano is the natural choice.

Sul is a combination of:

• su = on
• il = the

So:

• su + il → sul

In the sentence:

• sul foglietto = on the little sheet of paper / on the note

Italian often combines simple prepositions with definite articles this way.

Because foglietto here needs a definite article: the little sheet / the slip of paper.

Italian usually requires the article in cases where English might or might not use one. So:

• su foglietto sounds incomplete or unnatural in standard Italian
• sul foglietto = on the little piece of paper

The article is part of making the noun phrase sound normal and specific.

Foglietto is a diminutive form of foglio.

• foglio = sheet of paper
• foglietto = small sheet of paper, little note, slip of paper

The ending -etto often gives the idea of something smaller, and sometimes also more informal or casual.

So sul foglietto suggests not a full page, but a small piece of paper, note, or slip.

It can do both.

A diminutive like -etto often suggests:

• physical smallness
• a lighter, more informal tone
• sometimes even a slightly affectionate nuance, depending on context

Here, foglietto most naturally suggests a small piece of paper. In real usage, though, it can also simply sound more everyday and natural than a plain foglio, depending on the situation.

This order is natural in Italian:

• Scrivo = verb
• l’indirizzo = direct object
• a mano = manner
• sul foglietto = place/surface

So the structure is roughly:

I write + the address + by hand + on the slip of paper

Italian word order is flexible, but this version sounds straightforward and neutral.

You could move parts around for emphasis, for example:

• Scrivo a mano l’indirizzo sul foglietto
• Sul foglietto scrivo l’indirizzo a mano

These are possible, but the original sentence is a very normal default order.

Yes. Italian often allows adverbial phrases to move around.

For example:

• Scrivo l’indirizzo a mano sul foglietto
• Scrivo a mano l’indirizzo sul foglietto

Both are acceptable. The original version is very natural. The exact position can slightly affect rhythm or emphasis, but the meaning stays basically the same.

Scrivere means to write. It is an irregular -ere verb.

Its present tense forms are:

• io scrivo = I write
• tu scrivi = you write
• lui/lei scrive = he/she writes
• noi scriviamo = we write
• voi scrivete = you all write
• loro scrivono = they write

In the sentence, scrivo is the first person singular present.

Because l’indirizzo is the direct object of scrivo.

You write something, so in Italian the thing written usually comes directly after the verb:

• Scrivo una lettera
• Scrivo il nome
• Scrivo l’indirizzo

No preposition is needed.

Yes, depending on context.

The Italian present tense can often mean either:

• I write
• I am writing

So Scrivo l’indirizzo a mano sul foglietto could describe:

• a habitual action, or
• something happening right now

Context tells you which one is meant.