Question 1

Why is stesso placed after l'attore instead of before it?

Accepted Answer

The position of stesso changes its meaning. When placed before the noun (lo stesso attore), it means "the same actor". When placed directly after the noun, as in this sentence, it adds emphasis and translates to "the actor himself" (or "in person").

Question 2

Could I use medesimo instead of stesso in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you could say l'attore medesimo to mean "the actor himself". Medesimo follows the exact same placement rules as stesso, meaning it also goes after the noun for this emphatic meaning. It just sounds a little more formal or literary.

Question 3

Why does sosia take the masculine article il and possessive suo if it ends in -a?

Accepted Answer

Sosia (meaning look-alike or double) is masculine here despite its -a ending, originating from a male character's name in an ancient Roman play. It is also invariable in the plural, so "the look-alikes" would be i sosia.

Question 4

Since sosia means "look-alike", could I use it for a woman too?

Accepted Answer

Yes! If the actor were a woman (l'attrice), you would say la sua sosia. Even though the word itself doesn't change its ending, it takes feminine articles and adjectives when referring specifically to a female look-alike (and le sosia in the plural).

L'attore stesso ha incontrato il suo sosia ieri.

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