Breakdown of Bisogna tutelare la propria sfera intima.
bisognare
to be necessary
tutelare
to protect (rights, interests)
proprio
one's own
la sfera
sphere
intimo
intimate
bisogna
one must, it is necessary (frozen impersonal of bisognare)
Questions & Answers about Bisogna tutelare la propria sfera intima.
Why do we use propria here instead of sua?
Because the sentence uses the impersonal verb bisogna (one must). When a sentence has an impersonal subject (like "one" or "people in general"), you must use a form of proprio to say "one's own". If you used sua, it would specifically mean protecting "his" or "her" intimate sphere, rather than stating a general rule for everyone.
Why is it propria ending in -a?
Who is the subject of the verb bisogna?
Bisogna doesn't have a specific person as its subject. It is an impersonal verb meaning "it is necessary" or "one must". It is only ever used in the third-person singular and is followed directly by an infinitive verb, like tutelare (to protect) in this sentence.
Why is there a "la" before propria? Doesn't propria already mean "one's own"?
Yes, but in Italian, possessive adjectives almost always require a definite article before them (il, la, i, le). Just as you would say la mia sfera (my sphere), you must say la propria sfera (one's own sphere).
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