Question 1

Why does sorellastra take the definite article la if it is a singular family member?

Accepted Answer

The general rule is to drop the definite article with singular family members, so you would normally say mia sorella. However, sorellastra uses an altering suffix (-astra). Altered family nouns always keep the definite article, which is why it must be la mia sorellastra.

Question 2

Does genitori adottivi take the article i because it is modified by an adjective, or because it is plural?

Accepted Answer

Both rules apply here! Plural family members always take the definite article, so it must be i miei genitori. Additionally, any family member modified by an adjective, such as adottivi, also requires the article, even if it were singular.

Question 3

Does the suffix -astra always mean step- when talking about family?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for family members, the suffix -astro or -astra denotes a step-relative or half-sibling, like fratellastro. Outside of family words, this suffix usually gives a pejorative or weakened meaning to a word, such as giallastro for yellowish.

Question 4

Why doesn't the past participle invitato agree with the feminine sorellastra and become invitata?

Accepted Answer

Because the auxiliary verb is avere (hanno), the past participle invitato does not agree with the object unless there is a preceding direct object pronoun. Since the full noun phrase la mia sorellastra simply comes after the verb, the participle stays in its default -o form.

I miei genitori adottivi hanno invitato la mia sorellastra.

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