"My husband eats chicken."

[ceceg]

The use of an article with possessives seems almost random. Can someone please explain it well?

[FrediVallina]

The rule Gen130 mentions exist and it says (Source: 'Nuova grammatica pratica della lingua italiana' by Susanna Nocchi)

The article is NOT used after possessive adjectives with singular nouns which refers to members of the family: padre, madre, nonno, nonna, zio, zia, fratello, sorella, cugino, cugina...

The article IS used with:

• Plural family nouns: i mei genitori, le sue figlie...
• Definite nouns: il mio zio di Napoli, la sua nonna materna...
• Colloquial nouns: il mio papà, la nostra mamma...
• Altered family nouns: fratellina, sorellino...
• With the possesive adjective 'loro' : Il loro fratello.

Please excuse my translation, I am a spanish speaker.

[sobmar]

Great, but DL should include it in hints or any kind of material, which enables users to LEARN the language, not to REMEMBER the sentences

[rossemilie]

They appear to have more hints on the desktop version. But there aren't a lot there either

[craig.pard]

Try here if you need help in the future. http://www.unc.edu/~achamble/grammar.html

[safibta]

È vede piace tu lavori per UNC

[RobertEddy]

Helpful info here

[RobertEddy]

Helpful info here

[skwirl06]

super helpful, @FrediVallina!

[AnnVidetich]

agree with skwirl06! Thanks for the strange random info!

[burkehurdles]

When do you use definite articles with family members? ("il mio marito" vs. "mio marito") I thought there was a rule but I can't remember...

[craig.pard]

Read some here : http://www.unc.edu/~achamble/possessiveadjectives.html

[rossemilie]

Tu lavori per UNC

[Mehdik]

That is a very clear and concise source, craig.pard. Thanks

[brunettte__]

I still get confused on this one but what's the difference between when you use "mio" and "miei" ?

[AndyRoo312]

I think 'mio' is singular and 'miei' is plural.

[JolaDzoku]

I first read my husband eats children ._.

[Qbz10]

How do I know when to use mangia, mangi, or mangio?

[thenotoriousrog]

So great question let me explain.
Mangio means I eat.
Mangia means he/she eats
Mangi means you eat.

So here's some examples:
Io mangio il pollo means I eat the chicken.
Lei mangia il pollo means she eats the chicken.
Tu mangi il pollo means you eat the chicken.

Does that make sense? You use it depending whether you want to talk about yourself, about a he/she or to someone.

[Qbz10]

grazie

[thenotoriousrog]

Il mio marito mangia pollo is incorrect? Why?

[bevobeviamo]

This was my question, too, answered in one of the early comments above (FrediVallina):

(Source: 'Nuova grammatica pratica della lingua italiana' by Susanna Nocchi)

The article is NOT used after possessive adjectives with singular nouns which refers to members of the family: padre, madre, nonno, nonna, zio, zia, fratello, sorella, cugino, cugina...

The article IS used with:

Plural family nouns: i mei genitori, le sue figlie...
Definite nouns: il mio zio di Napoli, la sua nonna materna...
Colloquial nouns: il mio papà, la nostra mamma...
Altered family nouns: fratellina, sorellino...
With the possesive adjective 'loro' : Il loro fratello.

[NickLaRuss]

Found this to be helpful but it is still a little confusing to me. https://forum.duolingo.com/comment/18288880

[RmnCrz]

I know that sometimes it's incorrect to use an article with family members, but what about when I'm referring to the family member of someone else? should it be "il suo marito" or just "suo marito"? Thanks

[Valerie848452]

Why was 'Il mio nipote' correct but 'Il mio marito' wrong? Is it closeness of the relationship that makes the difference?