Learn Italian: Non posso aiutare, devo preparare la cena. - I can't help, I have to prepare dinner.

Non posso aiutare, devo preparare la cena.

I can't help, I have to prepare dinner.

Breakdown of Non posso aiutare, devo preparare la cena.

Questions & Answers about Non posso aiutare, devo preparare la cena.

Why is it devo preparare and not devo preparo?

Devo is a modal verb meaning "I must" or "I have to". In Italian, when a modal verb is followed by another action, the second verb stays in its infinitive (dictionary) form, which usually ends in -are, -ere, or -ire. So, it is devo preparare (I have to prepare).

Where does non go when using a modal verb like posso?

The negative word non always goes right before the conjugated verb. In this sentence, it goes directly before the modal verb posso, making it non posso aiutare (I cannot help).

Why is it la cena (the dinner) instead of just cena?

In English, we usually leave out the article and just say "prepare dinner". In Italian, you generally need the definite article (la) before the names of meals, so you say preparare la cena (literally, "to prepare the dinner").

The English translation says "I can't" and "I have to", but I don't see the Italian word for "I" (io). Why?

In Italian, the subject is built right into the verb ending. Both posso and devo end in -o, which tells you they are the "I" forms of the verbs. You don't need to include io unless you want to add special emphasis.