Learn Italian: Mi servono diversi fondotinta.

Mi servono diversi fondotinta.

I need several foundations.

Breakdown of Mi servono diversi fondotinta.

to me

servire

to be needed (mi serve = I need)

Questions & Answers about Mi servono diversi fondotinta.

Why does diversi come before the noun here?

When diverso (and its plural forms like diversi) is placed before the noun, it acts as an indefinite adjective meaning "several" or "various." If it were placed after the noun as in fondotinta diversi, it would mean "different."

Why doesn't the word fondotinta change its ending in the plural?

Fondotinta (foundation makeup) is a compound noun made of fondo (base) and tinta (color). It is a masculine noun that is invariable, meaning its spelling doesn't change in the plural. We know it is plural here because of the adjective diversi and the plural verb servono.

Why is the verb plural (servono) if the sentence starts with Mi?

The verb servire works a lot like piacere. The literal translation is "Several foundations are needed to me." Because the grammatical subject being needed (diversi fondotinta) is plural, the verb takes the plural form servono.

Could I use parecchi instead of diversi in this sentence?

Yes! Mi servono parecchi fondotinta means almost exactly the same thing. In this context, parecchi, diversi, and vari are interchangeable when placed before a plural noun to mean "several" or "a number of."