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- "Ho un vestito da sera."
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Can someone explain why "da" is used? Shouldn't this say "Ho un vestito di sera" or "Ho un vestito della sera?" I'm a bit confused over this one.
Typically, "da" is typically used to express a noun of type "x". Conversely, "di" is typically used to express possession. Un vestito da sera is a specific type of dress, i.e. an evening dress. La bottiglia da limonata is "the bottle of lemonade", etc.
So for the lemonade you have a special bottle "bottiglia da limonata"... never heard that before... "bottiglia da vino" (wine bottle), "bottiglia di vino" (bottle of wine).
Think about differences between "vestito da ragazza" and "vestito della ragazza";first is a dress to be used by girls in general, last is a specific girl's dress
shjasani is asking why we can't use "di" instead of "da." We understand that the article isn't used in this case.
I think calixtojj perfectly explained why we can't use "di" here instead of "da".
Prep. DA uses to clarify the purpose of uses while prep. DI is the possession or materials Il vestito da sera: use that dress at night only. Il vestito di lana: A wool dress.
interesting that in English English "an evening dress" is not the same as "evening dress", how does Italian handle that?
"evening dress" advises the reader that a certain style of clothes are required, so different for men and for women etc.
an evening dress is a particular dress or suit that one might have in the wardrobe, in this case it is not generic but a specific piece of clothing
In the US we tend to say evening gown. Would that be a different word in Italian.
a nightgown is something a woman would wear to bed, not at an evening party.
I agree. Duo says both evening dress & night dress are possible translations. An evening dress is for formals. A night dress is sleeping attire.
lol. There is old wisdom that says that in order to relax the stage fright that occurs from performing in front of a large audience one should imagine them in their underwear! ... the notion of it being so ludicrous, it should help one lighten up and relax.
I agree. Duo says both evening dress & night dress are possible translations. An evening dress is for formals. A night dress is sleeping attire.
I think "vestito da sera" is better translated as "evening gown" than "evening dress."
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Agreed. A quick google search pulls up only pictures of women's formal evening wear: evening gowns.
I'm not sure if my answer should be accepted or not... I put "I have a dress for evening".
that's not a grammatically correct sentence in English, (It should be "for THE evening", and even that translates to "Ho un vestito per la sera" or something like that, I'm not sure) "I have an evening dress" is much better.
Well it really does need an article before "evening", otherwise the word order should be swapped to "I have an evening dress".
Agreed. While the sentence sounds a bit awkward, it is NOT grammatically incorrect. "I have a dress for evening" is a statement of ownership of an evening gown (Again, it is slightly awkward, and would probably not be used except in the most specific of circumstances where one is required to dress different ways throughout the day, like in olden times. However, it is not grammatically incorrect. )
Conversely, "I have a dress for the evening" is an acknowledgement that you do in fact have a dress for this evening's festivities, etc.
A quick question for the native speakers - is "vestito di sera" also a valid translation of "evening dress"? Grazie!
Dressed in the evening/ at night = vestito di sera/ di notte (In the morning/ afternoon he/ she is undressed.
I put 'this'evening rather than 'the' evening (and it was incorrect). In Italian, how would you said I have a dress for 'this' evening?
You use stasera for tonight. So I guess, I have a dress for this evening is, " Ho un vestito per stasera"
I googled around and I believe I found the answer. It is because "da" is used to describe what an object is used for. This is a dress for the evening not made of the evening (which would make no sense). Whereas when we say "una bottiglia di vino" we are NOT saying the bottle is FOR wine, we are saying it's a bottle OF WINE.
From a website regarding "da": "4) To indicate purpose, ending (fine):
Carte da gioco - Playing cards
Sala da pranzo - Lunchroom
Spazzolino da denti - Toothbrush
Abito da sera - Evening dress"
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This Time section is nauseating. I feel like i have been translating the same 10 phrases for 5 levels now, and i still barely know how to properly convey time in italian.
I don't understand da de di. Are they randem and we just have to learn when the language decides they are used? Do they not have any rules?
I found this a helpful due to its simplicity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D7ZpAGuT_s
For a very complex explanation, check out Manu's video here: https://www.italymadeeasy.com/live-italian-lesson-018/
Also, keep in mind that their are two prepositions here - da and di. De is just a variant of Di as can be seen in this chart: https://myitalianlessons.co.uk/list-of-italian-articulated-prepositions/
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My answer was, "I have evening dress." It was not accepted.
A woman would say, "I have an evening dress," but I have not heard a man say that. We say, "I have evening dress." A woman's evening dress is one garment. Men's evening dress is trousers, jacket, shirt, and possibly a cummerbund.
