Learn Italian: Devo preparare l'esame oggi. - I have to prepare for the exam today.

In Italian, the ending of the verb usually tells you who is doing the action. Devo specifically means 'I have to' or 'I must', so you don't need to add the pronoun io (I) unless you want to emphasize it.

Why does the verb preparare end in '-are' instead of being conjugated?

Preparare is in its dictionary form, called the infinitive (to prepare). When you use a modal or helper verb like dovere (to have to) alongside another verb, only the first verb gets conjugated. So, you conjugate devo (I have to) and leave preparare as it is!

The English translation says 'prepare FOR the exam'. Why isn't there a word for 'for' in the Italian sentence?

In English, we say 'prepare for' something. In Italian, the verb preparare attaches directly to the object without needing a preposition. You literally say 'I have to prepare the exam' (preparare l'esame).

Why is it l'esame instead of il esame?

Esame is a masculine noun that starts with a vowel (e). Instead of using the standard masculine word for 'the' (il), Italian uses l' before vowels so the words flow together easily when spoken.