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Lo zaino nero è vuoto?

Lo zaino nero è vuoto?
Is the black backpack empty?
From Lesson 11:Special singular articles (lo, l')·Italian

Breakdown of Lo zaino nero è vuoto?

essere
to be
nero
black
vuoto
empty
lo zaino
the backpack

Questions & Answers about Lo zaino nero è vuoto?

Why is the article lo used here instead of il?
In Italian, masculine singular nouns usually take il, but words starting with a z (like zaino) require lo. You will also use lo before words starting with an s followed by a consonant (like studente), as well as ps, gn, and y.
Why is nero placed after zaino?
In English, we say black backpack, putting the describing word first. In Italian, most descriptive adjectives, including all colors like nero, go after the noun they describe (zaino).
Why doesn't the sentence start with è (is) to make it a question?
Unlike English, Italian doesn't require you to change the word order to ask a question. The statement for The black backpack is empty (Lo zaino nero è vuoto) becomes a question simply by adding a question mark in writing and raising your voice at the end when speaking.
Notice how lo, zaino, nero, and vuoto all end in the letter o. Is that a rule?
Yes, it is called agreement! Because zaino is a masculine singular noun, the article (lo) and any adjectives describing it (nero and vuoto) must also take their masculine singular forms. For most regular masculine words, that means ending in -o.

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