Log inSign up

Il database è sul vecchio server.

Il database è sul vecchio server.
The database is on the old server.
From Lesson 236:The comitative and instrumental pronoun (ci)·Italian

Questions & Answers about Il database è sul vecchio server.

How would I use the pronoun ci from this lesson to say 'The database is on it'?
You would replace the entire phrase sul vecchio server with the clitic ci. Because the verb is è (is), ci drops its vowel and becomes c'è. So, 'The database is on it' becomes Il database c'è. This looks exactly like the phrase for 'there is,' which makes sense since ci can replace phrases starting with su to mean 'on it' as well as 'there'.
Why are the English loanwords database and server masculine?
In Italian, foreign words adopted into the language are almost always treated as masculine by default. That is why they use il and sul. Also, remember that foreign loanwords don't change their endings in the plural, so 'the old servers' would be i vecchi server.
Why is vecchio placed before server instead of after?
Placing vecchio before the noun is very common and gives it a descriptive, familiar feel—often meaning the 'former' or 'previous' server rather than just one that is physically aged. If you put it after the noun (sul server vecchio), it creates a stronger contrast, emphasizing its physical old age compared to a new one.
A quick refresher: why is it sul rather than su il?
The preposition su (on) always merges with the definite article that follows it. Here, su combines with il to form the single word sul. Writing or saying su il as two separate words is grammatically incorrect in Italian.

Learn Il database è sul vecchio server and more in Italian

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.

  • ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
  • ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
  • ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free
Start learning Italian →