Learn Italian: Prendo la linea due verso il centro. - I take line two toward the center.

Prendo la linea due verso il centro.

I take line two toward the center.

Breakdown of Prendo la linea due verso il centro.

il centro

the center / downtown

Questions & Answers about Prendo la linea due verso il centro.

Why is there an article in la linea due when in English we just say "line two"?

In Italian, you generally need a definite article before a noun, even when it is followed by a number acting as its name or identifier. So, it is la linea due (literally "the line two") rather than just linea due.

Does prendere work the same way as "to take" in English for public transit?

Yes! Just like in English, you use prendere (to take) for modes of transportation and specific routes, whether it is taking a bus, catching a train, or riding la linea due.

I remember verso being used for time. What does it mean here?

As a preposition, verso means "toward" or "in the direction of". While it can mean "around" when talking about time (like verso le tre, meaning around three o'clock), here it indicates physical direction toward il centro (downtown).

Could I just say in centro instead of verso il centro?

You use the common phrase in centro (without an article) when saying you are going downtown, as in vado in centro. However, verso il centro specifically means "toward the center", emphasizing the physical direction of the transit line. Notice that after verso, you need the definite article il.