Learn Italian: Dobbiamo preparare i bagagli stasera. - We have to prepare the luggage tonight.

In English, we say 'have to prepare'. But in Italian, dobbiamo is a modal verb (a helper verb like 'must' or 'can'). It connects directly to the main action verb in its dictionary form (the infinitive), without needing any extra linking words like a or di.

Why is i bagagli plural when the English translation says 'the luggage' (singular)?

In English, 'luggage' is an uncountable noun, meaning it is always singular. In Italian, un bagaglio refers to a single piece of luggage (like a suitcase or bag). Since you usually travel with more than one bag, Italian uses the plural form i bagagli to mean 'the luggage'.

Where is the word for 'we' in this sentence?

It is built right into the verb! Dobbiamo is the 'we' form of dovere (to have to / must). In Italian, you do not need to use the subject pronoun noi (we) unless you want to add special emphasis.

Where does the word stasera come from?

It is a smash-up of two words: questa (this) and sera (evening). Over time, they merged into the single word stasera, which means 'this evening' or 'tonight'.