Learn Italian: La maestra aiuta gli scolari con i compiti. - The teacher helps the pupils with the homework.

La maestra aiuta gli scolari con i compiti.

The teacher helps the pupils with the homework.

Breakdown of La maestra aiuta gli scolari con i compiti.

Questions & Answers about La maestra aiuta gli scolari con i compiti.

Why is the article gli used here instead of i for scolari?

In Italian, plural masculine words that start with an "s" followed by another consonant (like the sc- in scolari) take the definite article gli. If the word were singular, it would use lo instead of il, becoming lo scolaro.

Why is compiti plural when the English translation says "homework"?

In English, "homework" is an uncountable, singular noun. However, in Italian, school assignments are countable. The word compito literally means "task" or "assignment," so Italians almost always use the plural i compiti to talk about their school homework.

What is the difference between a maestra and a professoressa?

A maestra (or maestro for a man) specifically refers to a primary or elementary school teacher. When students move on to middle school, high school, or university, their teachers are called professoressa (or professore).

Why aren't con and i combined into a single word, the way in and il become nel?