Question 1

Why is che used here instead of perché?

Accepted Answer

In spoken and informal Italian, che is often used as a shortcut for perché (because) or poiché (since) to justify a command, request, or statement you just made. Here, it connects the command Togli la carne to the reason for it: the speaker needs to finish frying the potatoes. It makes the sentence flow much more naturally in casual conversation.

Question 2

Why do we need di in finisco di friggere?

Accepted Answer

The verb finire requires the preposition di when it is followed by another verb in the infinitive to mean "to finish doing something". So, "I finish frying" translates to finisco di friggere. This is a set pattern you have to memorize, just like iniziare a (to start doing).

Question 3

Could I use tira fuori instead of togli for "take out"?

Accepted Answer

You could use tira fuori (take out / pull out) if you mean taking the meat out of the fridge or an oven. However, togliere literally means "to remove", and in a cooking context, it is the most natural verb to use for taking something out of a pan, off the heat, or out of the way to make room for something else.

Question 4

Is togli an irregular imperative form?

Accepted Answer

No, for the tu form, togliere follows the regular rule for -ere verbs, which is to use the present indicative tu form. Since "you remove" is tu togli, the informal command is also simply togli. The verb is highly irregular in other forms (like the io form tolgo), but this specific command is straightforward.

Togli la carne, che finisco di friggere le patate.

Breakdown of Togli la carne, che finisco di friggere le patate.

Questions & Answers about Togli la carne, che finisco di friggere le patate.

Learn Togli la carne, che finisco di friggere le patate and more in Italian