Breakdown of Controllo la larghezza del nastro, perciò non possiamo sbagliare.
non
not
di
of, from
potere
can, to be able to
controllare
to check
il nastro
the tape, the ribbon
perciò
therefore / for this reason
sbagliare
to make a mistake
la larghezza
the width
Questions & Answers about Controllo la larghezza del nastro, perciò non possiamo sbagliare.
How is the word larghezza formed, and can I use this pattern to make other nouns?
Larghezza (width) is formed by taking the adjective largo (wide) and adding the suffix -ezza. This is a very common way to turn adjectives into abstract nouns in Italian, similar to "-ness" or "-th" in English. Other common examples include lunghezza (length) from lungo, and bellezza (beauty) from bello.
Could nastro mean something else depending on the context?
Yes! While translated as "ribbon" here, nastro is the general word for a flat, flexible strip. Depending on the context, it could mean adhesive tape (nastro adesivo) or even a conveyor belt (nastro trasportatore). If this sentence is spoken in a factory setting, "conveyor belt" might actually be the intended meaning.
What is the difference between perciò and quindi?
In this sentence, they are practically interchangeable. Both act as conjunctions meaning "therefore" or "so." Perciò is a combination of per (for) and ciò (this/that), so it literally translates to "for this reason." You can comfortably use perciò, quindi, or dunque to express this kind of logical consequence.
Why use sbagliare here instead of the reflexive sbagliarsi?
While both mean "to make a mistake," they have a subtle difference in usage. Sbagliare is often used for the practical act of doing an action incorrectly, like cutting a material to the wrong size or hitting the wrong button. Sbagliarsi tends to describe being mentally mistaken or having the wrong idea about something, like misremembering a fact.
Learn Controllo la larghezza del nastro, perciò non possiamo sbagliare and more in Italian
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free