When do you use "da" versus "di" in Italian? I am trying to figure out something. How do I know when to use "di" versus "da", other than memorizing expressions as they come up? I totally get his con

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Diana

When do you use "da" versus "di" in Italian? I am trying to figure out something. How do I know when to use "di" versus "da", other than memorizing expressions as they come up? I totally get his concept: una tazza DA caffè (used for) versus una tazza DI caffè (filled with) But...Is this the concept of "for" - purpose? è un gioco DA ragazzi abito DA sera Are there any rules of thumb, or is memorization the only way???? French only has "de" for both uses. Is "da" the equivalent of "por/para" in Spanish? I am so confused. Please help me. Thanks ahead of time.

Jun 18, 2017 2:21 PM

Answers · 16

Hello Diana, if you can read a little Italian I've here for you some references: http://aulalingue.scuola.zanichelli.it/benvenuti/2010/02/04/la-preposizione-di/ http://aulalingue.scuola.zanichelli.it/benvenuti/2010/01/07/la-preposizione-da/ Hope it helps, tano

June 18, 2017

I am in the intermediate "tunnel" of Italian and I still make mistakes in speech and writing related to this point. "da" is wider than "from" but I find that when I need to use "from" in English, then "da" is almost always correct. I make mistakes with the other usages. The page tano linked to is good, in my opinion. However, it does miss out one big use of "da", which is "by" in passive constructions.

June 18, 2017

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