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- "Ho un vestito da sera."
59 Comments
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.
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I think calixtojj perfectly explained why we can't use "di" here instead of "da".
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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.
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 think "vestito da sera" is better translated as "evening gown" than "evening dress."
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.
In English, 'an' cannot be placed before a word starts with same-sounding-vowel. It cannot be 'an evening dress', but, 'a evening dress' would be appropriate.
Actually Tapa, you have that backwards. :-) "An evening dress" is correct. "A evening dress" does not work.
In English any vowel (a,e,i,o,u) has to have a 'an' in front of it in order to be grammatically correct within a sentence with the correct context.
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Unless there is a pronounced consonant before the written initial vowel, e.g. 'a university' gains a 'y' before the 'u' when pronounced.
"i have an outfit for the evening" is correct. This answer said that the correct answer is "i have a outfit for the evening" -- not proper english, yo.
I put 'I have an evening suit' which was on the hints, but was marked wrong and told outfit was correct. I thought vestito was unisex so expected suit to be right. Thoughts any one please
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"
For the Italian phrase, "Ho un vestito da sera.", one suggested solution is, "I have a outfit for the evening." This is not correct English; "a outfit" should read "an outfit."
Seriously "ho" really disappears in this one. Must be a magical evening dress!
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Could it be Da used here for feminine noun "sera"?! As previously we saw the sentences as " una bottiglia di vino" " una bottiglia da limonata"... What do you think?!!!!
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"
I typed "an outfit", which is apparently wrong and should be "a outfit"... interesting...
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Why isn't suit accepted in the place of dress? The definition says vestito can be suit.
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Vestito, why can't it be an evening suit, because i do not have an evening dress.
