A2 Italian GrammarPrepositions (Location & Direction)
Master Italian prepositions for expressing location, direction, and movement. Learn the articulated prepositions (preposizioni articolate) formed by combining simple prepositions with definite articles, and understand when to use a, da, in, su, and per.
1Simple Prepositions
Italian has nine simple prepositions: di (of), a (to/at), da (from/by), in (in), con (with), su (on), per (for), tra/fra (between/among). These can stand alone or combine with articles to form articulated prepositions.
Common Simple Prepositions
| Italian | English | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| a | to, at | destination, location |
| da | from, by, at | origin, agent, someone's place |
| in | in, into, to | inside, countries |
| su | on, onto | surfaces |
| per | for, through | purpose, movement through |
| con | with | accompaniment |
Examples
Vado a Roma.
I'm going to Rome.
a for cities
Vengo da Milano.
I come from Milan.
da for origin
Abito in Italia.
I live in Italy.
in for countries
Il libro è su la scrivania.
The book is on the desk.
su for surfaces
2Articulated Prepositions
When a, da, di, in, and su are followed by a definite article, they combine to form articulated prepositions. For example: a + il = al, da + la = dalla, di + i = dei. Con and per usually don't combine with articles in modern Italian.
Articulated Prepositions with A
| + il | + lo | + la | + i | + gli | + le |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| al | allo | alla | ai | agli | alle |
Articulated Prepositions with DA
| + il | + lo | + la | + i | + gli | + le |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| dal | dallo | dalla | dai | dagli | dalle |
Articulated Prepositions with IN
| + il | + lo | + la | + i | + gli | + le |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| nel | nello | nella | nei | negli | nelle |
Examples
Vado al cinema.
I'm going to the cinema.
a + il = al
Torno dalla scuola.
I'm coming back from school.
da + la = dalla
Le chiavi sono nel cassetto.
The keys are in the drawer.
in + il = nel
Parliamo degli amici.
We're talking about the friends.
di + gli = degli
3Da for Location and People
Da has special uses: at someone's place (da Maria = at Maria's), at professional places (dal dottore = at the doctor's), and for duration (da due anni = for two years). It's one of Italian's most versatile prepositions.
Special Uses of DA
| Usage | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| someone's place | da Marco | at Marco's place |
| professional | dal dentista | at the dentist's |
| duration | da tre giorni | for three days |
| since | da lunedì | since Monday |
| characteristic | la ragazza dai capelli rossi | the girl with red hair |
Examples
Stasera mangiamo da Giovanni.
Tonight we're eating at Giovanni's.
da + person = at their place
Devo andare dal medico.
I have to go to the doctor.
da + professional
Studio italiano da sei mesi.
I've been studying Italian for six months.
da for duration
Ti aspetto da mezzogiorno.
I've been waiting for you since noon.
da for since
4In vs A for Places
Both in and a can mean in/to, but usage differs. Use in for countries, regions, continents, and shops: in Italia, in Toscana, in farmacia. Use a for cities: a Roma, a Parigi. With buildings, a is more common: a scuola, a casa.
In vs A
| Place Type | Preposition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| country | in | in Francia |
| city | a | a Londra |
| shop/store | in | in libreria |
| building (general) | a | a teatro |
| region | in | in Sicilia |
| home | a | a casa |
Examples
Vado in Spagna quest'estate.
I'm going to Spain this summer.
in for countries
Lavoro a Firenze.
I work in Florence.
a for cities
Compro il pane in panetteria.
I buy bread at the bakery.
in for shops
I bambini sono a scuola.
The children are at school.
a for institution