Italian preposition "in" (in, to,...)
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Sign up for freeThe preposition in (in) has different translations in Italian.
Lesson outline
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Giulia M. 
Eva L.
Cecilia M.
Serena D.
Mel T. 
NIKHIL D. 
Nicoletta C.
Anna A.
Franca A.
Filomena M.
Location in a space or in time
When in indicates location in a space or in time, it translates as in.
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Ci sono delle monete in tasca | There are some coins in your pocket |
| In primavera tutto diventa colorato | In spring everything becomes colourful |
Be careful! With the espression "in + season", the Italian language doesn't use the article (unless we speak about a specific season followed by an year)
In estate → In / In the summer
It's the other way around with years:
Nel (in + il) 2010 → In 2010 (see Italian articulated preposition)
With some public places, in translates as at.
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Siamo ancora in farmacia | We are still at the pharmacy |
| Si vedranno in aeroporto | They will meet each other at the airport |
Be careful! In this case, Italian language don't use the article (unlike English)
Direction (countries, regions and big islands)
When in expresses a direction, it translates as to.
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Molti Italiani sono andati in America | Many Italians went to America |
| Vogliono andare in Sicilia | They want to go to Sicily |
Motion within a space
When in introduces a motion within a space, it translates as in.
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Passeggiano in piazza | They stroll in the square |
| I bambini giocano in giardino | The kids are playing in the garden |
Transports
When in expresses means of transport, it usually translates as by.
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| In aereo | By plane |
| In treno | By train |
| In macchina | By car |
| In pullman | By bus |
| In bici | By bike |
Be careful! By foot → A piedi
Materials
When in indicates a material or an ingredient, it doesn't translate and it is not included in the English sentence.
In Italian the noun or the adjective indicating the material or the ingredient follows the preposition whereas in English it precedes the noun it refer to.
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Strutture in acciaio | Steel structures |
| Sculture in bronzo | Bronze sculptures |
Abilities and languages
When in introduces an ability or a language, it translates is in.
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Quel medico è specializzato in cardiologia | That doctor is specialized in cardiology |
| Vuoi che ti parli in Spagnolo, in Italiano o in Francese? | Do you want me to talk to you in Spanish, Italian or French? |
Typical expressions
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| in affitto | for rent |
| in alto | high, up |
| in altre parole | in other words |
| in arrivo | incoming |
| in aumento | on the increase |
| in bianco e nero | in black and white |
| in bocca al lupo | break a leg |
| in cambio | in exchange |
| in campagna | in the country |
| in caso contrario | otherwise |
| in caso di bisogno / necessità | if necessary |
| in che senso? | in which sense? |
| in chiesa | in church |
| in città | in the city |
| in confronto a / with | compared with |
| in corso | underway |
| in disordine | chaotic, untidy, messy |
| in gamba | capable, smart |
| in grado di | able to, in a position to |
| in montagna | in the mountains |
| in nessun caso | under no circumstances |
| in nessun luogo / posto | nowhere |
| in ogni luogo | everywhere |
| in orario | on time |
| in ordine | neat |
| in pericolo | in danger |
| in piazza | in the town square |
| in piedi | standing up |
| in piena notte | in the middle of the night |
| in qualche luogo / posto | somewhere |
| in qualsiasi luogo / posto | anywhere |
| in quanto a | as concerns, as for |
| in realtà | in reality, in fact |
| essere in rosso | to be in the red |
| in rovine | in ruins |
| in tutto il mondo | all over the world |
| essere in un mare di guai | to be in a lot of trouble |
| essere/trovarsi in un vicolo cieco | to be in a dead end |
| in virtù di | by virtue of |