Learn Italian: Sono felice di apparecchiare con questa tovaglia. - I am happy to set the table with this tablecloth.

Sono felice di apparecchiare con questa tovaglia.

I am happy to set the table with this tablecloth.

Breakdown of Sono felice di apparecchiare con questa tovaglia.

Questions & Answers about Sono felice di apparecchiare con questa tovaglia.

Why do we use di after felice instead of a?

In Italian, adjectives expressing emotions or states of mind (like felice, triste, or contento) use the preposition di to connect to a following infinitive verb. You would use a for adjectives showing readiness or ability, like pronto (ready) or bravo (good at).

Where is the translation for "the table" in the Italian sentence?

The verb apparecchiare translates to "to set the table" all by itself. You can say apparecchiare la tavola if you want to be explicit, but Italians usually drop la tavola because the context is already built right into the verb.

I often mix up tavolo, tavola, and tovaglia. What is the difference?

It is a very common mix-up since they look similar! Un tavolo is the standard word for the physical piece of furniture. La tavola refers to the table when it is set and ready for a meal. La tovaglia, used in this sentence, is the cloth you put over the table (the tablecloth).