46 Comments
I think the equivalent in English is 'How do we spell her surname?' how do we write the surname (in UK english) is like you need instructions. How do we write her name? Okay first pick up the pen, etc etc
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Not when I answered it wasn't. I had been given the English version in the previous exercise and it was translated as "spell". In the Italian-English version, it's write! Frustrating
Yes! But DuoLingo does not allow "Lei" as a translation for you (formal) or "Loro" as you all (formal). (And the "L" must be a capital!) I think it's important to know, but I see why DuoLingo would leave it out because they want better distinction between conjugations.
There is a skill dedicated specifically to learning the formal Lei later on. There you'll see examples in which it is capitalized because this is largely a text based program and we don't want to drive anybody crazy! Outside of that skill, if you see Lei capitalized (such as at the beginning of a sentence) feel free to also translate it as you :)
The correct translation is given as "her" surname. Why is "his" surname not right?
I also find it difficult to understand how, without context, you are supposed to know that it is HER name and not HIS.
- 709
It can mean either 'his' or 'her'. The 'il suo' is only masculine because the word 'cognome' is masculine - 'il suo' doesn't relate to the gender of the person it is describing.
So how am i supose to know if it is her o his in this sentence...? It only accept her as and answer
So, duolingo offers no explanation why they mark "his" as wrong when no context is offered to decide between his or her.
i wrote "how do we write his surname" and still got it wrong isn't suo/sua/suoi general for him/her? context obviously decided in real life by who you are referring to but usually duo accepts both?
You don't! Word ambiguity, dawg. That's why Duolingo accepts both options.
I disagree. If my last name is Smith, you would say How do we write my name. Surname is an uncommon word in the US unless you happen to be a lawyer.
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Why is How do we write your surname wrong. Suo could be the polite form, couldn't it?
- 603
It is because 'cognome' is masculine. His/her/its name/surname would always be 'il suo cognome' The object here is name/surname, therefore the gender is for the object (masc.) not the subject (her -fem.) of the sentence.
- 603
The gender of 'Suo/Sua' depends on the gender of the object (thing being spoken about) not the gender of the subject (person to whom the thing belongs). 'Suo/Sua' can mean his/hers/its
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I am a french speaker learning Italian and English. I learned at school: cognome = nom = family name and nome = prénom = firstname.
My question is, is this a normal way to ask this question? How often do people ask "how do WE write your surname" in Italian? Would it not be "how do YOU write" or how do I write"???
I just want to know when I am speaking this language in September that I don't sound like an idiot. I want people to understand that I do mean his or her.
