Question 1

Why do we need the word di in sotto di noi? Why not just say sotto noi?

Accepted Answer

When certain prepositions like sotto (under), sopra (above), dietro (behind), and senza (without) are followed by a personal pronoun (like noi, me, or lui), Italian requires you to insert di between them. If you were using a regular noun instead of a pronoun, you would drop the di (for example, sotto il tavolo meaning 'under the table').

Question 2

Could I use an unstressed pronoun here, like ci, instead of noi?

Accepted Answer

No. When a pronoun is the object of a preposition like sotto or contro, you must use a tonic (stressed) pronoun like noi, me, or te. Unstressed pronouns like ci or mi are attached to or placed before verbs, not used after spatial or abstract prepositions.

Question 3

Can sotto be used both literally and figuratively?

Accepted Answer

Yes, just like in English. In this sentence, sotto is used figuratively to mean lower in rank or status within a company or system. You use the exact same word and grammar structure when talking about something physically underneath, like being under a roof.

Question 4

Why does molta end in an 'a' here instead of 'o'?

Accepted Answer

Molto acts as an adjective in this sentence because it describes the noun invidia (envy). Since invidia is a feminine singular noun, molto must agree with it and become molta. It only remains the fixed word molto when it acts as an adverb modifying a verb or an adjective (for example, lui lavora molto).

Nella gerarchia, c'è molta invidia sotto di noi.

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