Question 1

The lesson says ogni is followed by a singular noun, but tanto is not a noun. How does this work?

Accepted Answer

You are right! Ogni tanto is a fixed idiom that means 'every now and then' or 'sometimes'. Even though tanto usually means 'much' or 'a lot', you should not translate this phrase word-for-word. Just memorize ogni tanto as a set phrase.

Question 2

Why do we use la sera instead of something like nella sera to mean 'in the evening'?

Accepted Answer

In Italian, you often use just the definite article (il, la, etc.) before a time of day or a day of the week to show a regular habit. So la sera naturally translates to 'in the evening' or 'in the evenings' without needing an extra word for 'in'.

Question 3

The word film is borrowed from English. How would I say 'movies' in the plural?

Accepted Answer

Foreign loanwords in Italian generally do not change their endings to become plural. 'A movie' is un film, and 'two movies' is due film. Only the article changes to show it is plural, for example, i film for 'the movies'.

Question 4

Why is there no word for 'I' before guardo?

Accepted Answer

Italian often drops subject pronouns like io ('I'). Because the verb guardo ends in -o, it already clearly means 'I watch'. You only need to add io if you want to add special emphasis or clear up confusion.

Ogni tanto guardo un film la sera.

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