Question 1

In English, we say "such hypocrisy", but the Italian sentence says una tale ipocrisia. Do you always need the article?

Accepted Answer

Usually, yes! When tale means "such" or "of that kind" and modifies a singular noun, Italian requires an indefinite article (un, una, un', or uno). Unlike English, where "such a" is used for countable nouns and just "such" for uncountable ones like hypocrisy, Italian uses the article for both, hence una tale ipocrisia.

Question 2

Can I change the word order to un'ipocrisia tale?

Accepted Answer

Yes, placing tale after the noun is perfectly grammatical but it changes the nuance slightly. Putting it after the noun adds emphasis, highlighting the extreme degree of the hypocrisy, whereas putting it before the noun is the standard, more neutral phrasing.

Question 3

Why is tollero in the indicative mood? Doesn't the structure è che usually require the subjunctive?

Accepted Answer

Expressions that state a concrete fact or objective reality take the indicative. While many phrases ending in che trigger the subjunctive because they express emotion or opinion, il problema è che introduces a statement of fact. You are stating the reality that you do not tolerate it, so the indicative tollero is required.

Question 4

The lesson mentions tale can be an adjective or pronoun. Which one is it here?

Accepted Answer

In this sentence, tale is an indefinite adjective because it is paired directly with a noun to modify it. It only acts as a pronoun when it stands alone to replace a person or thing, such as saying un tale mi ha detto (a certain someone told me).

Il problema è che non tollero una tale ipocrisia.

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