Complete Idiot's Guide to Learning Italian, 2E

by Euvino, Gabrielle Ann

• ISBN13: 9780028641478
• ISBN10: 0028641477
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-06-01
• Publisher: DK Publishing, Inc.

Summary

Ciao, bella o bello! Crack The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Italian, Second Edition and you'll have a one-stop resource for getting a handle on this beautiful language-whether you are traveling to Italy for vacation or chatting with the host at your favorite Italian ristorante. The new edition includes a new and improved Italian-English glossary, more practical exercises, easier-to-read tables, a quick travel reference and new sidebars on dialect.

Author Biography

Gabrielle Euvino divides her time between writing, and teaching the Italian language.

Ms. Euvino studied in Urbino, Italy, and received her Bachelor's degree from the State University of New York (College at New Paltz) in Italian language and literature. She completed a Master's degree in international education at New York University, where she specialized in second-language acquisition and cross-cultural communications.

Gabrielle is founder and president of La Bella Lingua, an educational program dedicated to Italian culture, language, and arts. Through classes, excursions, and special events, students are given the opportunity to apply their language skills and meet others with similar interests.

To learn more about La Bella Lingua, write to: La Bella Lingua Cathedral Station PO Box 602 New York, NY 10025

E-mail inquiries are welcome at [e-mail].

Table of Contents

Part 1 The Basics	1	(90)
Why You Should Study Italian	3	(8)
Imagine the reality of speaking Italian and see all the reasons
Immerse Yourself	11	(14)
Learn about dialect, the history of Italian, and using your dictionary
In addition, there's a quick grammar refresher to get your language studies started on the right foot
Sound Like an Italian	25	(14)
Learn the basic rules of Italian pronunciation
You Know More Than You Think	39	(14)
Tie English and Italian together using cognates
Expressively Yours	53	(16)
In this chapter you'll learn the fundamentals: how to say hello and good-bye, your days of the week, and idiomatic expressions
Almost Everything You Wanted to Know About Sex	69	(16)
In Italian all nouns are assigned a gender---learn what to do about it
What's the Subject?	85	(6)
Study the different ways of expressing ``you'' in Italian
Learn how to determine the subject in a sentence
Part 2 You're Off and Running	91	(130)
An Action-Packed Adventure	93	(18)
Learn about the different verb families and regular rules of conjugation
Being There	111	(18)
See all the different ways of using ``to be'' with the verbs essere and stare, and learn how to construct several idiomatic expressions using the verb avere (to have)
Tell Me About Your Childhood	129	(20)
Learn how to express possession using adjectives and the preposition di, as well as how to describe things with adverbs
Finally, You're at the Airport	149	(16)
Now that you've landed, you'll be given helpful vocabulary to enable you to get around
Learn about prepositions and the imperative verb tense
Moving Around	165	(22)
Drive away with the terms you need to make your journey safe
Study your numbers to log those kilometers and talk about time
Also find out how to use the verb fare (to do/to make)
Hallelujah, You've Made It to I'Hotel	187	(18)
Get comfortable inside your room using the practical vocabulary lists
Express your desires with volere (to want), your potential with potere (to be able to), and what you've got to do with dovere (to have to)
Rain or Shine	205	(16)
Talk about the weather, make a date, and discuss your horoscope
Part 3 Fun and Games	221	(102)
I Can't Believe My Eyes!	223	(18)
See the sights and study the verbs you need to get around and make suggestions, as well as how to use the present progressive tense
Shop 'Til You Drop	241	(20)
Learn everything you wanted to know about objects and object pronouns while perusing Italy's wonderful shops
Bread, Wine, and Chocolate	261	(20)
Visit the market and sample the many culinary delights while improving your linguistic abilities
Express your pleasure with the verb piacere
Shall We Dine?	281	(22)
Chew on the terms and learn how to read an Italian menu and order special meals
See how reflexive verbs work
Having Fun Italian Style	303	(20)
You can sing, dance, and paint the town red with these terms
Learn how to talk about what you had been doing using the passato prossimo
Part 4 Getting Down to Business	323	(122)
You're Not Having Un Buon Giorno	325	(16)
Cope with life's little nuisances, get your hair done, and learn how to make comparisons
Is There a Doctor in the House?	341	(14)
Tell the doctor where it hurts with these terms
Learn how to talk about what used to be with the imperfect tense
Can You Read Me?	355	(14)
Make a telephone call, send a package, and write a letter
See how to use the future tense to talk about what will be
Home Sweet Home	369	(12)
In the market to own a home? Want to rent a villa? Talk about the conditional and learn how to express what you would like
Money Matters	381	(64)
Learn the international language of money with these helpful banking terms
Also learn the subjunctive and past absolute
Appendixes
A Answer Key	395	(16)
B Glossary	411	(30)
C Map of Italy	441	(2)
D An Idiot's Guide to Additional Resources	443	(2)
Index	445