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So distinguere entrambi i gemelli perché non sono identici.

So distinguere entrambi i gemelli perché non sono identici.
I can distinguish both twins because they are not identical.
From Lesson 279:Quantifiers for pairs (entrambi, tutti e due)·Italian

Questions & Answers about So distinguere entrambi i gemelli perché non sono identici.

Why is it entrambi i gemelli and not just entrambi gemelli?
In Italian, when entrambi (both) is followed by a noun, you generally must include the definite article between them. Since gemelli is a masculine plural noun, it requires the article i, making it entrambi i gemelli (literally "both the twins").
Could I use tutti e due instead of entrambi in this sentence?
Yes! You could say tutti e due i gemelli. Just like with entrambi, you still need the definite article (i) right before the noun. Both expressions mean "both" and are used interchangeably in everyday Italian.
Why use so (from sapere) instead of posso (from potere) to say "I can"?
Sapere is used when "can" means having the knowledge, skill, or ability to do something (knowing how to do it). Telling the twins apart is an acquired mental skill, so we use so distinguere. You would use potere for physical possibility or having permission.
Why does the plural of identico end in -ci instead of -chi?
Adjectives ending in -co often change to a soft -ci (pronounced like "chee") in the plural if the spoken stress falls on the third-to-last syllable (i-dèn-ti-co). If the stress was on the second-to-last syllable, like in bianco, it would usually keep the hard "c" sound by adding an "h" (bianchi).

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