Question 1

Why is it stanno spolverando instead of using the verb essere (to be) like we do in English?

Accepted Answer

In Italian, the present progressive (doing something right now) is formed with the verb stare (to stay/be) rather than essere. Stanno is the "they" form of stare. We combine it with the gerund (the "-ing" form) of the main verb, which here is spolverando (dusting).

Question 2

How is the word spolverando built?

Accepted Answer

The dictionary form is spolverare (to dust). To make the gerund (the "-ing" form) for verbs ending in -are, you drop the -are and add -ando. For verbs ending in -ere or -ire, you add -endo instead. As a bonus, spolverare comes directly from the noun polvere (dust).

Question 3

Why is "furniture" translated as the plural word i mobili?

Accepted Answer

In English, "furniture" is an uncountable noun (we never say "furnitures"). But in Italian, il mobile refers to a single piece of furniture. To talk about multiple pieces or furniture in general, you must use the countable plural form i mobili.

Question 4

Why does the plural adjective vecchi have an "h" in it?

Accepted Answer

Vecchi is the plural of vecchio (old). The singular word has a hard "c" sound (like a "k"). In Italian, when an "i" is added to make a word plural, an "h" is often inserted between the "c" and the "i" to keep that hard "k" sound. Without the "h", it would be pronounced with a soft "ch" sound like in "cheese".

Stanno spolverando i mobili vecchi.

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