Learn Italian: La mia pelle diventa rossa al sole.

La mia pelle diventa rossa al sole.

My skin turns red in the sun.

Breakdown of La mia pelle diventa rossa al sole.

Questions & Answers about La mia pelle diventa rossa al sole.

Why is it rossa and la mia if pelle ends in -e?

Pelle (skin) is a feminine noun, even though it ends in -e instead of the typical -a. Because it is feminine and singular, the possessive must be la mia and the adjective describing it must be rossa.

Why do we use diventa for 'turns'? Can I use gira?

In English, we say skin 'turns' red, but in Italian, you must use diventare (to become) for a change of state or condition. Girare only means 'to turn' physically, like turning a steering wheel or turning a corner.

Why is it al sole instead of nel sole for 'in the sun'?

When talking about being exposed to the sun or weather, Italian uses the preposition a (at/to) rather than in. Here, a combines with the article il (il sole) to make al, so the phrase translates more literally as 'at the sun'.

Do I really need the article la before mia pelle?