Question 1

Why is there no word for "they" before hanno?

Accepted Answer

In Italian, you usually do not need to use subject pronouns like loro (they) because the verb ending already tells you who is doing the action. Hanno specifically means "they have", so adding loro is unnecessary unless you really want to emphasize it.

Question 2

Do I pronounce the "h" at the beginning of hanno?

Accepted Answer

No, the letter "h" is always completely silent in Italian. You pronounce hanno exactly like anno (which means "year"). The written "h" in the forms of avere (ho, hai, ha, hanno) is just there to help you tell the difference between these verbs and other similar-sounding words when reading.

Question 3

I learned that adjectives usually come after the noun. Why is it bella figlia instead of figlia bella?

Accepted Answer

While most descriptive adjectives do go after the noun, a few very common ones—like bello (beautiful), buono (good), and bravo (skilled)—often go before the noun. Putting bella before the noun here is standard and sounds much more natural to an Italian speaker.

Question 4

How do I pronounce the "gli" sound in figlia?

Accepted Answer

The gli sound does not exist in English, but it sounds a bit like the "lli" in the word "million". To make this sound, press the flat middle part of your tongue against the roof of your mouth, rather than using the tip of your tongue.

Hanno una bella figlia.

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