Learn Italian: Il faldone è così vecchio che devi ristampare tutto. - The folder is so old that you have to reprint everything.

Il faldone è così vecchio che devi ristampare tutto.

The folder is so old that you have to reprint everything.

Breakdown of Il faldone è così vecchio che devi ristampare tutto.

Questions & Answers about Il faldone è così vecchio che devi ristampare tutto.

How does the prefix ri- work in ristampare?

The prefix ri- is added to a verb to indicate repetition, much like "re-" in English. Here it attaches directly to stampare (to print) to make ristampare (to reprint). It is a highly productive prefix, meaning you can intuitively attach it to almost any action verb in Italian to mean "do it again".

What exactly is a faldone, and how is it different from a cartella?

While a cartella is a standard folder (either on your computer or a thin physical one), a faldone is a large, thick cardboard binder or heavy archive file. It gets its name from the augmentative suffix -one (which indicates a large size) attached to falda (a fold or flap).

Why does che trigger the indicative devi here instead of the subjunctive?

The construction così [adjective] che (so [adjective] that) introduces a consecutive clause. When it expresses a factual, real consequence of a state—like literally having to reprint things because the folder is objectively old—you use the indicative. You only use the subjunctive for consequences if they are hypothetical or an intended goal.

Could I say devi ristamparlo tutto instead of just devi ristampare tutto?