Question 1

Why is there no article before metropoli? Shouldn't it be "la metropoli internazionale" like in English?

Accepted Answer

In Italian, when you use a noun phrase to define or describe a proper noun right next to it (an apposition), you must drop the definite article. While English says "London, the international metropolis", Italian requires Londra, metropoli internazionale.

Question 2

The word metropoli ends in -i. Is it plural in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

No, metropoli is singular here. While most Italian words ending in -i are plural, metropoli is a feminine invariable noun (like crisi or oasi). Its singular and plural forms are identical. You can tell it is singular here because it refers to a single city (Londra) and pairs with the singular adjective internazionale.

Question 3

Why does the adjective affollata end in -a?

Accepted Answer

It agrees with Londra. In Italian, cities are generally treated as feminine nouns, especially those that end in -a (like Londra or Roma). Therefore, the adjective describing the city must take the feminine singular ending.

Question 4

Could I use "piena" instead of "affollata" to say the city is crowded?

Accepted Answer

Affollata specifically means "crowded" (from folla, meaning "crowd"). Piena simply means "full". If you use piena, you usually need to specify what the city is full of, such as piena di turisti (full of tourists) or piena di traffico (full of traffic).

Londra, metropoli internazionale, è sempre molto affollata.

Breakdown of Londra, metropoli internazionale, è sempre molto affollata.

Questions & Answers about Londra, metropoli internazionale, è sempre molto affollata.

Learn Londra, metropoli internazionale, è sempre molto affollata and more in Italian