Would you like to learn Italian? Is Italian hard to learn? The verdict has been reached. Additionally, you will learn how to avoid the seven most common Italian mistakes students make, as well as our top five key points for learning Italian quickly.
Since I began learning Italian in 20010, I have learned several linguistic quirks that I had never encountered before. Italian is not the most difficult language to learn, but there are certainly some common pitfalls that English-speaking students tend to encounter. I am included in this.
What Exactly Does ‘hard’ Mean When It Comes To Italian Language Learning?
An individual’s perception of how difficult a language is depends largely on their mother tongue, the other foreign languages they know, and the level of proficiency they wish to achieve.
The length of time it takes to become fluent depends on several factors. According to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), languages are divided into four groups based on their difficulty level, and the time it takes for them to reach minimum professional proficiency is calculated (ILR 3, CEFR C1).
Italian belongs to Group 1, which is largely the ‘easiest’ group since you need only to complete 24-30 weeks (600-750 class hours) to reach this level.
The Italian language belongs to the Romance language family, which includes Spanish, Portuguese, and French. In other words, if you have any knowledge of these languages, you will be able to learn Italian more quickly. It is often the case that languages belonging to the same group share a great deal of vocabulary and their grammatical structures are similar in some way as well.
It is relatively easy for an English speaker to learn Italian (unlike Russian or Japanese). There are some similarities between these two languages, although they belong to different groups (English is a Germanic language). Here are the learning times for different foreign languages.
We will cover the following topics:
- Why learning Italian is easier than you think
- How to Master Italian grammar
- The 7 most common mistakes in Italian and how to avoid them
- 9 misconceptions about learning Italian that is holding you back
- Why do you want to learn Italian?
- The Verdict: Is Italian hard to learn?
Why Learning Italian Is Easier Than You Think
Italian Is A Phonetic Language
The Italian language is phonetic, meaning that all of the syllables are pronounced as they are written.
Since you can easily identify the words being spoken in a language, it makes discerning what is being said easier, while French or Portuguese can be trickier since the words don’t always look like they sound.
You Already Know Some Italian
It is actually easier to learn Italian than you might think. It’s surprising how many Italian words you recognize. A few thousand words are similar in meaning and pronunciation to their Italian counterparts when they are spelled and pronounced slightly differently. You should feel at ease just by knowing that.
An active vocabulary ranges between 500 and 1500 words, which may come as a surprise to you. It’s not thousands. Approximately 600 unique words are used in a full-length New York Times article.
Popular Italian Loan Words
It is no secret that Italians are quite proud of their language, yet a few English words have been incorporated into their bella lingua. Except for a couple of exceptions, they are generally pronounced like English words. The words they use include gadgets, jogging, feeling, and shock, for example. Even the word okay will be used by them.
Due to the lack of a word for privacy in Italian, they use the English word! Thus, it is no wonder that the Italians invented the paparazzi and were the first to use it!
Considering how digital technology has changed the way Italians communicate, words like cliccare sul mouse (kleek-kah-reh soohl mouse) and lo zapping (loh zahpp-ping) are now commonly used.
Take a look at the following list of words. There are various definite articles or better known as ‘the’ associated with each.
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{la\ radio\longrightarrow}}\) (lah rah-dee-oh)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{l’autobus\longrightarrow}}\) (laho-toh-boos)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{l’antenna\longrightarrow}}\) (laan-tehn-nah)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{l’hotel\longrightarrow}}\) (loh-tell)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{l’area\longrightarrow}}\) (lah-reh-ah)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{l’idea\longrightarrow}}\) (lee-deh-ah)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{l’hamburger\longrightarrow}}\) (laam-bur-gerh)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{il\ cocktail\longrightarrow}}\) (eel kok-tail)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{il\ jazz\longrightarrow}}\) (eel jazz)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{il\ cinema\longrightarrow}}\) (eel chee-neh-mah)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{il\ computer\longrightarrow}}\) (eel kom-poo-ter)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{il\ bar\longrightarrow}}\) (eel bar)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{il\ blues\longrightarrow}}\) (eel blues)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{il\ film\longrightarrow}}\) (eel film)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{il\ rock\ and\ roll\longrightarrow}}\) (eel rock and roll)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{il\ weekend\longrightarrow}}\) (eel weekend)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{il\ camping\longrightarrow}}\) (eel camp-ing)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{i\ jeans\longrightarrow}}\) (ee jeans)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{lo\ snob\longrightarrow}}\) (loh snob)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{lo\ shock\longrightarrow}}\) (loh shock)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{lo\ shopping\longrightarrow}}\) (loh shop-ping)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{lo\ sport\longrightarrow}}\) (loh sport)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{lo\ shampoo\longrightarrow}}\) (loh sham-poo)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{lo\ zoo\longrightarrow}}\) (loh zoh)
English words have been incorporated into the Italian language in a variety of ways. English-speaking countries use many Italian words as well, including:
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{la\ pizza\longrightarrow}}\) (peet-tsah)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{la\ pasta\longrightarrow}}\) (pahs-tah)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{gli\ spaghetti\longrightarrow}}\) (spah-geht-tee)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{i\ tortellini\longrightarrow}}\) (tohr-tehl-lee-nee)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{la\ mozzarella\longrightarrow}}\) (moht-tsah-rehl-lah)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{l’espresso\longrightarrow}}\) (ehs-prehs-soh)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{il\ cappuccino\longrightarrow}}\) (kahp-pooh-chee-noh)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{il\ panino\longrightarrow}}\) (pah-nee-noh) – a sandwich
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{i\ panini\longrightarrow}}\) (pah-nee-nee) – sandwiches
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{i\ biscotti\longrightarrow}}\) (bees-koht-tee) – cookies
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{il\ biscotto\longrightarrow}}\) (bees-koht-toh) – cookie
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{il\ tiramisù\longrightarrow}}\) (tee-rah-mee-sooh)
Known as the Italian word for ‘pick me up’ or ‘pull me up’, tiramisù literally means ‘pick me up’. It refers to the fact that this famous dessert made with strong Italian espresso gives you a nice energy boost.
Cognates
Additionally, to the words outlined above that have found their way into both Italian and English, both languages also share a number of cognates. The cognate is a word whose origins are similar to those of another language’s word. They are often spelled similarly and/or sound similar. As examples, here are a few:
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{airport – l’aeroporto\longrightarrow}}\) (lah-eh-roh-pohr-toh)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{attention – l’attenzione\longrightarrow}}\) (laht-tehn-tsyoh-neh)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{communication – la\ comunicazione\longrightarrow}}\) (lah koh-mooh-nee-kah-tsyoh-neh)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{important – l’importante\longrightarrow}}\) (leem-pohr-tahn-teh)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{incredible – l’incredibile\longrightarrow}}\) (leen-kreh-dee-bee-leh)
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How to Master Italian Grammar
Gender
Italian uses grammatical gender even for inanimate nouns, like other Romance languages. There are two types of Italian nouns: masculine and feminine. The category is purely grammatical and does not depend on any physical characteristics of objects.
Noun gender affects articles, adjectives, and sometimes verbs that agree with the noun, so it is important to remember.
Pronunciation
With very few exceptions, Italian pronunciation is quite logical and regular. All the syllables are pronounced, and the words are read pretty much as written. As a result, mastering listening comprehension is relatively straightforward.
Due to some differences in Italian sounds from English (such as the rolled Rs), learning to speak may be a bit more difficult. Even if you don’t know Italian pronunciation rules, you can read these words quite easily:
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{Poeta\longrightarrow}}\) poet
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{Problema\longrightarrow}}\) problem
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{Senso\longrightarrow}}\) sense
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{Finale\ (the\ final\ ‘e’\ is\ pronounced\ as\ well)\longrightarrow}}\) final
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{Melodia\longrightarrow}}\) melody
Articles
There is definitely more inflection in Italian articles compared to English articles.
In Italian, both indefinite and definite articles exist, but they are inflected according to the gender and number of the noun as well as the first letter of the word following them.
The following are a few examples:
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{una\ candela\longrightarrow}}\) a candle (feminine)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{un’arancia\longrightarrow}}\) an orange (feminine, starting with the letter ‘a’)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{un\ momento\longrightarrow}}\) a moment (masculine)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{il\ pollo,\ i\ polli\longrightarrow}}\) the chicken, the chickens (masculine)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{l’ombrello,\ gli\ ombrelli\longrightarrow}}\) the umbrella, the umbrellas (masculine, starting with the letter ‘o’)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{lo\ studente,\ gli\ studenti\longrightarrow}}\) the student, the students (masculine, starting with ‘s+consonant’)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{la\ zuppa,\ le\ zuppe\longrightarrow}}\) the soup, the soups (feminine)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{l’ora,\ le\ ore\longrightarrow}}\) the hour, the hours (feminine, starting with a vowel)
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Prepositions
Prepositions are one of the most challenging parts of speech to learn in any foreign language. When it comes to using them correctly, they mostly have to be memorized because there is no logic behind them.
A trickier aspect of Italian prepositions is that when combined with articles, they create dozens of new forms. Examples include:
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{in + il\longrightarrow}}\) nel
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{in + l’\longrightarrow}}\) nell’
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{in + lo\longrightarrow}}\) nello
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{in + la\longrightarrow}}\) nella
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{in + i\longrightarrow}}\) nei
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{in + gli \longrightarrow}}\) negli
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{in + le\longrightarrow}}\) nelle
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{a + il\longrightarrow}}\) al
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{a + lo\longrightarrow}}\) allo
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{a + l’\longrightarrow}}\) all’
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{a + la\longrightarrow}}\) alla
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{a + i \longrightarrow}}\) ai
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{a + gli\longrightarrow}}\) agli
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{a + le\longrightarrow}}\) alle
Prepositions in Italian are the most complex of all Romance languages, but they follow a consistent pattern that makes them easy to learn.
Nouns
There is a category of grammatical gender for Italian nouns that do not exist in English. Italian nouns are either masculine or feminine. La Madre (mother) has a feminine grammatical gender, while il padre (father) has a masculine one.
Nouns with an ‘a’ ending are usually feminine (la mela, the apple) and nouns with an ‘o’ ending are usually masculine (il vaso, the vase). A few exceptions exist, however: il problema (the problem) and la mano (the hand).
There are both feminine and masculine nouns ending in ‘e’: il ponte (the bridge), la notte (the night).
Adjectives
The adjectives in Italian are normally placed after the nouns they modify, and they agree in gender and number with the nouns.
There are many more adjective forms in Spanish than in English. Take a look at these examples of the word ‘red’ – Rosso:
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{il\ libro\ rosso\longrightarrow}}\) the red book (masculine, singular)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{i\ libri\ rossi\longrightarrow}}\) the red books (masculine, plural)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{la\ ciliegia\ rossa\longrightarrow}}\) the red cherry (feminine, singular)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{le\ ciliegie\ rosse\longrightarrow}}\) the red cherries (feminine, plural)
Verb Conjugation
As a result of the high degree of inflection, Italian verbs differ depending on mood, person, aspect, number, tense, and sometimes gender.
Italian verbs can be classified into three different conjugation patterns depending on their infinitive ending (-are, -ire, or -ere). It is also possible to find verbs that do not follow any of these patterns. It is considered irregular to use these.
The sheer number of Italian verb conjugation forms makes mastering the system not necessarily difficult, but definitely time-consuming. For example, the English verb ‘to love’ has only three forms: love, loving, and loved.
Amano, amavo, amavi, amava, amavamo, amavavate, amavano – that’s not even half of the possible forms in Italian.
The Subjunctive Tense
‘Congiuntivo’, or the subjunctive, is one of the most difficult tenses in Italian. An opinion, a possibility, a desire, or a doubt is expressed using the subjunctive tense. Subjunctive errors are sometimes made by Italians themselves!
The verb avere (to have) can be used to compare these two phrases
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{You\ are\ right.\longrightarrow}}\) Hai ragione (indicative).
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{I\ think\ you’re\ right.\longrightarrow}}\) Credo che tu abbia ragione (subjunctive).
The subjunctive is used a lot in the Italian language. However, sometimes you can avoid using it. For instance, instead of saying ‘credo che’ (I think that) you can say ‘secondo me’ or ‘per me’.
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Is Italian Hard To Learn – Common Mistakes To Avoid
These are some of the most common grammar mistakes Italian learners make.
The Use Of Definite Masculine Articles Il-lo And I-gli
Italian articles have more forms than English articles. Refresh your memory:
- Before singular nouns starting with s + consonant, ps, gn, x, y, z, lo is used instead of il.
- In plural nouns starting with a vowel or s + consonant, ps, gn, x, y, x, gli is used instead of i.
When Referring To Family Members, Use Definite Articles
The singular form of words denoting family members does not take the definite article, but the plural form does.
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{Mia\ sorella\ (sister)\longrightarrow}}\) le mie sorelle (my sisters)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{Mio\ cugino\ (cousin)\longrightarrow}}\) i miei cugini (my cousins)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{Mio\ nonno\ (grandfather)\longrightarrow}}\) i miei nonni (my grandparents/grandfathers)
There are, however, exceptions to this rule. Whenever ‘loro’ (their) appears in a family name, the singular definite article should be used.
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{il\ loro\ nonno\longrightarrow}}\) their grandfather
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{la\ loro\ cugina\longrightarrow}}\) their cousin
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{la\ loro\ madre\longrightarrow}}\) their mother
Mixing Up Prepositions A And In With Andare
In Italian, the verb ‘andare’ (to go, walk) can be used with either ‘a’ or ‘in’ as a preposition. To help you remember when to use which, here are a few simple rules:
The word andare in is used to describe countries, states, regions, continents, and big islands. In addition, it can be used for places ending in -ia, such as pizzerias, macellerias, and pasticcerias. For cities and small islands, andare a
In Compound Tenses, Choosing The Right Auxiliary Is Crucial
There are a few (very few) Italian verbs that use the auxiliary ‘essere’ (to be), so it is better to memorize them so you don’t get confused.
The following verbs use the auxiliary ‘essere’ in compound tenses:
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{venire\longrightarrow}}\) to come
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{andare\longrightarrow}}\) to go
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{tornare\longrightarrow}}\) to return
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{rimanere\longrightarrow}}\) to stay
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{restare\longrightarrow}}\) to remain
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{arrivare\longrightarrow}}\) to arrive
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{uscire\longrightarrow}}\) to go out
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{diventare\longrightarrow}}\) to become
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{nascere\longrightarrow}}\) to be born
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{morire\longrightarrow}}\) to die
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{salire\longrightarrow}}\) to go up
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{scendere\longrightarrow}}\) to get off
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{cadere\longrightarrow}}\) to fall
A compound form of essere is also used in all reflexive verbs, such as divertirsi (to enjoy oneself) and lavarsi (to wash oneself).
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Mixing The Imperfect Tense With The Present Perfect
The imperfect tense is often confused with the present perfect by Italian learners
Use the Italian imperfect tense if you want to:
- describe the ongoing status of people, objects, and places or a habit or repetitive action in the past.
- talk about two things that happened at the same time.
- to describe how a person was feeling.
talk about a past action with the following time expressions:
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{da\ bambino\longrightarrow}}\) as a child
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{da\ piccolo\longrightarrow}}\) when I was little
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{mentre\longrightarrow}}\) whereas
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{solitamente\longrightarrow}}\) usually
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{ogni\ volta\ che\longrightarrow}}\) every time that
Use the Italian present perfect tense if you want to:
- describe a non-repetitive action that happened in the past.
- talk about an action that has finished and you know exactly when it happened.
The Difference Between The Words Gente And Persone
Both gente and persone mean ‘people’. The word ‘gente’, despite its plural meaning, is grammatically a singular noun, and the verbs that follow it are conjugated in the third person singular.
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{Le\ persone\ sono\ felici\longrightarrow}}\) People are happy. (‘le’ and ‘sono’ are plural)
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{La\ gente\ è\ felice\longrightarrow}}\) People are happy. It is singular (‘la’ and ‘è’)
Use of the words ed and ad
Isn’t it nice when what we say sounds good? Italian uses the so-called D eufonica to add harmony to words that start with vowels ‘e’ and ‘a’ after the prepositions ‘e’ and ‘a’. As an example:
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{Io\ vado\ ad\ Ancona\longrightarrow}}\) I go to Ancona
- \(\mathbf{\color{red}{Vittoria\ ed\ Enrico\ sono\ italiani\longrightarrow}}\) Maria and Enrico are Italian
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Is Italian Hard To Learn – 9 Myths That Are Hindering Your Progress
Learning Italian Is Harder Than Learning English
Italian is actually easier than English, according to some research. Is there a reason why it feels so hard? Your native language may be English, so you speak it fluently.
At the beginning, learning anything new feels challenging due to the steep learning curve. It’s completely natural for this to happen. After reaching a certain level, things become easier. We were all beginners once!
Rolling My Rs Will Not Be Possible
It may surprise you to learn that not all Italians can roll their Rs. Several regional dialects use ‘la erre moscia’ (soft r).
Try repeating the English words ‘ladder’ or ‘butter’ a few times quickly if you are having difficulty rolling your Rs. Try implementing the tips in this video if that doesn’t help.
My Neighborhood Does Not Have An Italian School
In the digital age, who needs a school? Taking an online course like my Intrepid Italian course, finding an Italian teacher on italki, listening to podcasts, watching videos on YouTube, chatting with people on language exchange platforms like HelloTalk, and much more, are all great ways to practice and learn Italian online.
Take advantage of the vast resources available on the internet – don’t hesitate to use them!
In The Future, I Won’t Use Italian
You can (and probably will, especially if you are open to it) come up with new exciting opportunities to use Italian in the future: work, travel, Italian friends, good movies and television shows, Italian literature, and art.
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Italian Isn’t For Me Because I’m Too Old
Anyone can learn a new language, including Italian. Despite the fact that children’s brains are more flexible and better at absorbing new information, adults have more motivation and dedication and are better at analyzing what they’ve learned.
As a result, you actually have the upper hand. Regardless of your age, you can learn Italian – so stop making excuses and get started!
I Don’t Know Anyone Who Speaks Italian, So I Won’t Be Able To Practice
You might find Italian events in your local area, such as language club meetups, events organized by the Italian embassy, movie screenings, wine tastings, and Italian restaurants, depending on where you live.
A great alternative to in-person events can also be found on the internet. With platforms such as italki, I can either book a lesson with a qualified teacher or a conversation session with a native speaker. It has never been easier to find someone to practice with. It’s also a great way to meet new people and learn more about Italian culture.
What I Say Won’t Make Sense To Native Speakers
It is actually very friendly and welcoming to speak Italian with an Italian. You don’t have to worry about butchering the pronunciation or making grammar mistakes since they are very forgiving. If you try your best to speak well but don’t overthink every word, you’ll be fine. The more you practice Italian with native speakers, the better you will get – and the more fun it will be.
Why Should I Bother Going To Italy For Such A Short Trip?
Some knowledge of the language can be useful even on a short trip. Get off the beaten path and discover some hidden gems, chat with the locals, order your meal in Italian, and ask for recommendations. Learn the basics first, then slowly expand your vocabulary.
It’s Necessary To Use A Textbook To Learn Italian, And I Dislike Them
The days of having only one textbook and having to use it even if you hated it are long gone. Depending on your type of language learner, there are a variety of resources available today: online courses, podcasts, and more.
Find a resource that works for you – it will make learning easier, more fun, and more effective.
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Is Italian Hard To Learn – How To Master Italian Grammar
You need the motivation to keep going when the road gets rough, so think about why you want to learn Italian. You simply want to learn for the sake of learning – fantastic! You should be proud if it sounds beautiful or gives you a sexy accent!
If you are planning a trip to Italy and don’t want to fall into tourist traps, this is perfect for you!
Knowing you’re ‘why’ makes everything easier. When you are passionate about learning, you will enjoy the challenges because you know they will help you grow and succeed.
So, Is Italian Hard To Learn?
Not at all! Italian is actually one of the easiest languages for English speakers to learn. Among the difficulties, you may encounter are the grammatical aspects mentioned above, which can cause learners difficulty. It is possible to master the Italian language with a bit of patience and adequate practice, however.
Here’s My Advice: Learn Italian From The Beginning!
Even if you are just a beginner, don’t wait too long to learn Italian. As well as helping you practice the language material you have already learned, speaking can also help you understand your weaknesses. Speaking brings a lot of enjoyment and a wonderful sense of accomplishment.
Even if you only know a few words in Italian, you can start speaking. Listed below are a few helpful tips:
- Begin with simple phrases and topics. Even if you’re just wishing someone a good day in Italian
- Use the words you already know in a creative way.
- You can benefit greatly from some help and feedback from a good teacher.
- Errors are expected and even welcomed!
- Try not to be too hard on yourself. When you are kind to yourself, language learning can be fun.
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FAQs
Is it difficult to learn Italian?
Though English is a Germanic language, more than a quarter of its words come directly or indirectly from Latin through another Romance language like French or Italian. For this reason, Italian is often considered one of the easiest languages for English speakers to learn.
Is Italian or Spanish easier to learn?
Though arguably Spanish may be a tad easier. Italian has far more irregular verbs to memorize, and the symbols you see on Spanish words actually tell you how a word is pronounced, whereas Italian pronunciation can be more of a guessing game.
Why is Italian so difficult?
One thing that makes Italian pronunciation tricky is the melody of the language. As mentioned before, the pronunciation is pretty easy, but Italian has a certain melody which makes the language more difficult.
Is French or Italian harder?
The grammar of French and Italian is close to being equal, but Italian might be a little more regular. In terms of vocabulary, an English speaker might find French easier because of the many loan words in English, but this advantage applies to Italian words too, because they’re close to French.