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Speravo di provare un'acconciatura elegante.

Speravo di provare un'acconciatura elegante.
I was hoping to try an elegant updo.
From Lesson 373:Polite imperfect (volevo, cercavo)·Italian

Questions & Answers about Speravo di provare un'acconciatura elegante.

Why use the imperfect speravo here if the person wants this right now?
This is the mitigating imperfect (imperfetto attenuativo). Italians use the imperfect tense to sound softer and more polite when making a current request or expressing a wish. Saying speravo ("I was hoping") is much less direct and demanding than saying spero ("I hope").
Why do we need the preposition di before provare?
Verbs that express thoughts, beliefs, or hopes (like sperare, pensare, and credere) require the preposition di before a following infinitive, as long as the subject of both verbs is the same person.
Why does un'acconciatura have an apostrophe?
Acconciatura (hairstyle or updo) is a feminine noun that starts with a vowel. The feminine indefinite article una drops its final "a" and adds an apostrophe before vowels to make pronunciation smoother.
Can I use capigliatura instead of acconciatura?
No, because they have different meanings. Capigliatura refers to your natural head of hair as a whole (like its thickness or overall look), whereas acconciatura refers specifically to a styled look, hairdo, or updo.

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