Ciao Iona, Here's some examples to clarify the difference between "molto" and "troppo". I hope it helps! Mangio molto = mangio tanto = I eat a lot Mangio troppo = I eat too much Bevo molto latte = Bevo tanto latte = I drink a lot of milk Bevo troppo latte = I drink too much milk A Milano c'è molta gente = A Milano c'è tanta gente = In Milan there are many people A Milano c'è troppa gente = In Milan there are too many people Abbiamo molte scarpe = Abbiamo tante scarpe = we have many shoes Abbiamo troppe scarpe = we have too many shoes Loro guardano molti film = loro guardano tanti film = they watch many movies Loro guardano troppi film = they watch too many movies.

However, you can also use 'troppo' in positive way, meaning 'very much' rather than 'too much', as in the case of 'ma sei troppo buono/bello!" (=You are very good/beautiful')

Dear Iona, you're right! "A lot" = molto or tanto Iona studia molto/tanto (well done ;-) ) "Too much" = troppo Iona studia troppo. Generally, when we use "troppo", we mean something negative. Iona studia troppo. Lei dovrebbe divertirsi invece! (Iona studies too much. She should have fun instead!) ps: study can be fun too ;-) Ciao Iona

Too much means troppo A lot tanto Many molto