Learn Italian: Devi scaricare questi file sul computer. - You have to download these files onto the computer.

Devi scaricare questi file sul computer.

You have to download these files onto the computer.

Breakdown of Devi scaricare questi file sul computer.

on the; about the (su + il)

il file

file

Questions & Answers about Devi scaricare questi file sul computer.

Why is the plural just file instead of files?

In Italian, borrowed English words don't take an "s" in the plural. They stay exactly the same. You can tell it is plural here because it is paired with the plural word questi (these).

Why do we use questi instead of queste?

File is treated as a masculine noun in Italian, like most English loanwords. Since we are talking about multiple files, we use the masculine plural word questi (these).

Does scaricare literally mean "to download"?

Originally, scaricare means "to unload" or "to discharge" (the opposite of caricare, to load or charge). In modern Italian, it is the standard word used for downloading files, and also for a battery running out (batteria scarica).

Why is it sul computer instead of just su computer?

In Italian, you usually need the definite article (the) before a noun, even after a preposition. Here, the preposition su (on/onto) combines with the masculine singular article il (the) to form the single word sul.