Question 1

Why isn't there a 'non' in this sentence to make it negative?

Accepted Answer

In Italian, when a negative word like nessuna (no), nessuno (nobody), or niente (nothing) is placed before the verb, you do not use non. If the negative word comes after the verb, you must use the double negative: Non si deve nascondere nessuna ruga.

Question 2

How does the passive 'si' work with the modal verb 'deve' here?

Accepted Answer

This sentence uses the si passivante (passive 'si') to mean 'must be hidden.' When using a modal verb like dovere (must) alongside an infinitive, the si can either go right before the conjugated modal verb (si deve nascondere) or attach to the dropped final 'e' of the infinitive (deve nascondersi). Both structures are correct and common.

Question 3

Why is the verb 'deve' in the singular form?

Accepted Answer

In a si passivante construction, the item being acted upon acts as the grammatical subject. Because Nessuna ruga is singular, the verb deve must be singular. If the subject were plural, the verb would change to match it. For example: Le rughe non si devono nascondere (The wrinkles must not be hidden).

Question 4

Can I say 'nessune rughe' since we are talking about wrinkles in general?

Accepted Answer

No, the adjectives nessuno and nessuna are almost exclusively used in the singular form in Italian, even when referring to a plural concept in English. The plural forms nessuni and nessune are only used with nouns that only exist in the plural, such as nozze (wedding) or forbici (scissors).

Nessuna ruga si deve nascondere.

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