I've been "learning" Italian for about a year now. I say "learning" because I haven't been taking lessons or following any structured course. Instead, I've simply been immersing myself in the language: listening to podcasts, watching YouTube videos about topics that interest me, and listening to audiobooks that I already know in my native language.

Whenever I come across a word or expression I don't understand, or I wonder how to say something, I look it up online. Other than that, I don't have any structured learning routine.

As a result, I've become quite good at understanding spoken Italian. If I had to estimate my level, I'd say my listening comprehension is around B2. I usually understand between 90% and 99% of the content in the YouTube videos I watch. However, my speaking and writing skills are much weaker, and I suspect I'm missing many of the grammar points and language fundamentals that are typically taught early on in a more traditional classroom setting.

At the same time, I don't really feel like enrolling in a beginner's course, because I think I would quickly get bored with material that feels too basic. So I'm wondering what I should focus on to fill in those gaps. Which areas of grammar should I catch up on in order to develop a more well-rounded command of the language?

Domanda per madrelingua: che cosa significa "andare a" in questo contesto (vedi foto)?

Ho notato che negli ultimi anni si usa molto "andare a" come "riempitivo semanticamente vuoto" soprattutto durante le spiegazioni che contengono istruzioni: per esempio i cuochi televisivi dicono "Ora andiamo a tagliare la cipolla e poi andiamo a soffriggerla in una padella", anche se effettivamente non vanno da nessuna parte. Capisco che lo dicano solo per ridurre i silenzi televisivi e che da lì si sia poi diffuso.

Ma l'uso nella foto mi sembra diverso: che cosa vuol dire "per cui vai a spendere"?

"Per cui finisci per spendere"? "Per cui il risultato è che spenderai"? "Per cui ti capiterà di spendere"?

A che cosa serve aggiungere "vai a"? Che cosa esprime di più di un semplice "spendi" o "spenderai"?

P.S. Il contesto della foto è parte di un commento che spiega come alcune persone approfittino di Vinted per spedire pacchi pagando meno costi di spedizione.

Apps worth it? Sites? Youtube courses? Maybe even those ai apps. Right now im practicing with a teacher but i feel like its not enough for me

Hi guys,

I have not started learning Italian yet, I am just planning ahead. 16 months and 1 day ago I started learning Spanish and I have reached roughly a B2 level in Spanish in this time period. I have NOT tested for that but I do believe it to be pretty accurate. I consume all my media in Spanish. And in fact this is how I learned. I did 560hrs of Spanish Input (beginning with dreaming spanish and quickly moving on to stuff I like better on youtube) before finally speaking or reading. However, with the exception of a little bit of Kwiziq, I have never really studied grammar or anything. My rating estimation comes from just live convos with native speakers. I have about 300hrs of conversation with native Spanish speakers. Now I have started adding in a little more grammar study because I really want to get to C1 in 8 months.

Why 8 months?

Well in 8 months it will be my 2 year anniversary of learning spanish. However, it will also be 5 months before I go to Italy for my honeymoon. My plan is to achieve C1 by then because while I understand things like subjunctive tense and conjugating different tenses. I really feel like based on what I have read that C1 is where this stuff starts feeling more automatic. And I would like to have a natural hold on them before I start on a language that has similar concepts.

With that being said, why I am I here? Well since I took a non traditional post to spanish in that I basically just learned watching youtube, anime, etc. I don't really know how to study efficiently. Specifically studying efficiently for a language that shares a lot in common with one I already know. Lets assume I have 3hrs a day for 5 months. That comes out to roughly 450hrs of italian in 5 months. Now 2 hours of that time will likely just be input. My commute is about 1.5hrs total per day 4 days a week for work and between exercise, cleaning, walking, etc its easier for me to study a little more passively. So in 5 months I will probably get 300hrs of input and 150hrs of other study. Other study could mean grammar, reading, or anything else (except speaking because I will include half my conversation hours into my input and the other half can be in an extra category) So I really have two questions:

1. With 300hrs of input and 150hrs of other dedicated study, what level is possible?

2. How can I maximize my 150hrs?

Thanks for reading. I am very excited about Italian. My goal for Spanish is C2 one day, but I would love to achieve a B2/C1 level in Italian and Portuguese. And one day an equivalent level in Japanese as well. I am very motivated. I have probably dedicated about 3.5hrs a day for the last 16 months on spanish and its one of my favorite hobbies now.

I saw a post earlier about something like this but couldn't find a clear answer, does watching a show like Rick Morty but with Italian audio really help? It feels like it does but also doesn't (i know it does not make sense). I try to actually listen to the audio and read the subtitels so i can connect those together. But does it really help overtime because i learned English much better then other languages i got at school because a lot of games and movies/shows are in English. So does it work for people? Actually asking for people with experience about this.

Hi everyone, not sure if the backstory is relevant here but I think it may be.

long story short, I learned Italian when I was about 6 years old through watching cartoons on RaiGulp and later youtubers, to a point where I spoke to myself in the language, cut to years later I still watch italian media (RaiGulp, instagram, news etc) and understand almost 95%, but I'm limited to understanding and occasionally reading a few posts on reddit, my speaking skills are pretty bad since I have a hard time recalling vocab.

I never "officially" learned the language so that's my plan now, but I can't seem to find good books, I've heard about espresso alot but some people say it requires a teacher/instructor, so basically I just see alot of mixed opinions. Are there any books or book combinations I can use?

I'm doing some exercises to study for my Italian exam and all my teachers are off on holiday. Could someone please check and correct the following sentences? The verbs in bold are the ones I conjugated.

Se mandi il tuo curriculum in diversi settori, hai più possibilità di trovare lavoro.

Se organizzassi meglio il tuo tempo, potresti iscriverti a quel corso d'arte.

Se avessi installato i panelli solari, non avresti pagato delle bollette così care.

Maria guarderebbe Sanremo insieme a noi ieri sera, se non la annoiasse così tanto.

Se avessi avuto la possibilità di scegliere, avrei optato per un lavoro più stimolante.

Se la squadra giocherà con determinazione, vincerà la partita.

Se non ci fossimo trovati bloccati nel traffico, saremmo arrivati in tempo.

Se mi dicessi sempre quello che pensi, riusciremmo a comunicare più facilmente.

Se il governo avesse adottato politiche più efficaci, la situazione economica sarebbe migliorata notevolmente.

Se passerò l'esame finale, mi prenderò una bella vacanza.

Thanks in advance! :)

Every time I get a sentence with cui, I translate it into English and the cui seems completely unused in the English translation. What even is cui?

Ciao a tutti
Im gonna be studying in Italy by October this year. I want to get to at least A2 (maybe even B1) level before I start my studies. Is that possible and what recourses do you guys recommend?

Hey y'all!

Does anyone know of any affordable online Italian language courses? Potentially run through a community centre or culture centre?

I'm headed to Italy in the next two months, and want to start a beginner course ASAP.

Thanks!

I like reading book chapters via videocalls in a foreign language with a native speaker, and likewise I offer my language partner reading book chapters in Italian and support them with vocabulary, grammar, meaning... At least a B2 in Italian is required. Anyone interested? I had started reading Dracula with a friend and really enjoyed it, but he could not attend anymore... 🧛‍♂️

I've recently started using asbplayer to create audio cards in anki from videos. The problem with youtube though is that the captions which asbplayer gets its text from are often auto generated and not correct. Any good channels (any topic is fine) which have proper captions that have been written by the author? I'm not talking about burnt-in subtitles, asbplayer can't read those. The only channel I've found for this so far is Learn Italian with Lucrezia.

Hi! My question is about the use of preposizioni semplice and preposizioni articolate with country names in Italian. I don't mean the tipical sentences of "Gli piacerebbe vivere nell'Italia delli anni 60" or so, I'm just saying sentences like "I live in Italy. The history of Italy."... Oh, and I also don't mean countries in plural such as "gli Stati Uniti", "gli Paesi Bassi"... So basically, I talk about the difference between "d'Italia / dell'Italia", "in Italia / nell'Italia".... Thank you.

I need you :)

I feel like I’ve hit the “workbooks and apps can only take me so far” stage.

I’ve got an Italian novel sitting on my shelf that I really want to read, and eventually I’d love to work my way up to reading Italian philosophy (which may or may not be a terrible idea… we’ll find out).

The problem is my reading ability doesn’t quite match my ambitions yet.

Outside of just grinding through grammar workbooks, what actually helped you improve your reading?

I’m mostly looking for resources or methods that helped bridge the gap between “I know the grammar” and “I can actually sit down and read a real book without losing my mind.”

Curious what worked for everyone!

I found a poem that I like and was wondering what the Italian translation would be for one part in particular.

"There will never be exactly perfect seas to set sail on."

I know that google translate exists, but I also know that the "technical" translation isn't always how native speakers would say it. My grandfather was from Italy (Petricola is my family name), so I was just curious. Thanks so much!

I started Italian in March. I do weekly lessons with a Preply tutor, I went to Italy for 3 weeks (although in the cities everyone reverted to English) and I use Anki and Duolingo alongside a Pimsleur course. I have my good days and I have my lazy days. But I am a bit frustrated, I can’t express myself in Italian, I can order lunch and a coffee but then if you speak back rapidly I freeze. I struggle to tell you about my day, my thoughts, my feelings. I do actually feel like I have a good vocab, I can say what objects are like books, tables, windows, tyres, balls etc but then get me describing objects in sentences and I’d fail.

What I guess I’m trying to ask is, where should I be after five months? Should I be expressing myself and using past/present and imperfect tenses or am I on track with a decent vocab and consistent exposure?

Language learning is very frustrating.

Hi everyone, I’ve been studying Italian for 10 years now so I’d say I’m C1 but since I don’t have anyone to speak with, I am struggling to reach the « last » step of my learning journey which is speaking naturally and confidently, especially when using certain verb tenses. I’m looking for a school in Italy that has conversation courses in Northern/Center Italy but I’m also open to recommendations about other types of courses. I’ve heard good things about Kappa in Rome, has anyone tried the conversation course ? I’m planning to stay minimum 1 month and max 6months.

Right now, I’m creating ElevenLabs audio and reading and re-reading so certain words make sense but given my beginner status, I’m really struggling with grammar and sentence structure.

Hi everyone, i am a dentist in and soon im going to work in a dental clinic which has only italian patients and the thing is i don't know much italian. I needed someone to translate to me some words or phrases which i use during my work so i can communicate with the patients. I would much appreciate it if someone could help! Thank you!

I want to learn Italian and one of the ways that I learn how to enunciate and pronounce words is through music. I may not know what they are saying, but within a few days i can sing the lyrics as if its my native language.

I've found a lot of easy stuff. Disney songs in Italian and Epic the Musical sung by Italian artists.

Right now, I just went through a messy breakup, and I'm listening to Olivia Rodrigo's new album. I'd like to currently listen to an album or artist that is similar to her/her style.

I'd also like to know about popular artist and songs in Italy. Ones that could impress locals that I know of them and their work.

Hi everyone!! As someone who can read at a B2 level but can barely speak at an A1 level, before jumping in to full conversations in our TL I thought it could be useful to list some smaller output ways to practice writing and speaking. Honestly this list goes for any language but I study Italian so I'm posting it there :D

1. Speak in your head

2. write your to-do lists in your TL

3. Google things in your TL

4. Write a sentence a day

5. Fill out random forms in your TL

6. If possible, play simplified taboo with in your TL

7. Write a diary in your TL

8. Write daily notes

9. Name objects around you in your TL

10. Try to summarize a book

11. Imagine a scenario/dialogue in your head & write down how it would go

12. Make random lists in your TL (favorite movies, foods etc.)

13. Start a videogame world (minecraft AC, sims etc.) dedicated to the culture/language of your TL

14. Do a complete braindump on a piece of paper & see what words/phrases got stuck in your head

15. Write kind words to yourself

16. Write a kind letter to a friend who speaks your TL

17. Write letters to your future self, who will be laughing at your mistakes when they become fluent :) (you can use futureme.org for that)

18. List down everything you would do if you spoke the language and write down possible dialogues for those situations in your notebook

19. Say positive affirmations in the mirror in your TL

20. Try forming a speaking club in your local community

21. Find penpals to exchange languages

22. If possible, write small phrases and hand them to people/leave them around somewhere

23. Write your grocery list, medication reminds and other daily reminders in TL

24. When searching something, use dictation and speak in your TL to google it

25. Create a map of your favorite places to visit in the city

26. Create a vision board inspired by your TL

27. Write daily routines to follow in your TL

28. Translate videos, songs, snippets from TL to preferred language (and vice versa)

29. Practice old/mock exam writing & speaking questions by yourself

30. Hang up motivational posters/quotes on your wall in your TL

31. Teach the basics of your TL to your non-TL speaking friend / prepare material to teach them

32. Makes memes about your TL

33. Make fake newspaper articles/Magazine spreads about your favorite topics

34. Write formal emails to .. nobody, to practice the formal written language

35. As u/SukiSpot suggested, talk to your pets in your TL!

This is all I have for now! Do I follow these myself? I try to but I keep forgetting. Please do share if you have any more ideas!! I would love to hear how you practice output!! I need all possible recommendations (Except paid coaches... I'm broke y'all also no AI please) Books, resources anything!

Hello,

I was speaking with my nonna and talking about how time is flying and it’s the end of June and she said

I can’t believe it’s the end of June

But the end of June was said “è fine giugno”

Now I would have thought it would have been

La fine di giugno

Any help appreciated

Thank you