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Le distribuiamo prima che inizi il rinfresco.

Le distribuiamo prima che inizi il rinfresco.
We distribute them before the reception begins.
From Lesson 187:The conjunction 'before' (prima che)·Italian

Questions & Answers about Le distribuiamo prima che inizi il rinfresco.

Why do we use inizi here instead of the regular present tense inizia?
The phrase prima che (before) always requires the subjunctive mood. This is because it sets up an action that hasn't happened yet, creating a sense of anticipation. Here, inizi is the present subjunctive form of iniziare (to begin) matching the subject il rinfresco.
What does Le refer to at the very beginning of the sentence?
Le is a direct object pronoun meaning "them" for feminine plural nouns. It shows that whatever we are distributing is feminine and plural in Italian—for example, le fette di torta (the slices of cake) or le bomboniere (the party favors). As a direct object pronoun, it goes right before the conjugated verb distribuiamo.
Why is the subject il rinfresco placed after the verb inizi?
In Italian, it is very common to put the subject after the verb in a dependent clause (like one starting with prima che). You can absolutely say prima che il rinfresco inizi, but placing il rinfresco at the end flows very naturally and puts the focus on the event being introduced.
What exactly is a rinfresco?
While it looks like the word for "refresh," un rinfresco is a noun meaning a light reception or a spread of refreshments. It usually refers to a buffet with drinks and snacks served at social gatherings, like after a ceremony or a presentation.

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