"From cow to steak"

Translation: Da mucca a bistecca

[marianosman]

Why is it "da" and not "dal"? I thought "dal" could mean "from"? Could someone elaborate on the difference between "di", "da", and "dal"?

[Chris123456]

Da generally does mean "from." Dal is a contraction of da and il to make "from the."

Your question is quite challenging to answer fully but the following are perhaps the first steps towards an understanding:

First of all the contracted forms of da + article:

• da + la = dalla
• da + il = dal
• da + lo = dallo
• da + le = dalle
• da + i = dai
• da + gli = dagli

Da can also mean "to" or can be used to make a word adjectival eg sala da pranzo.

Below are the contracted forms of di + article:

• di + la = della
• di + il = del
• di + lo = dello
• di + le = delle
• di + i = dei
• di + gli = degli

Di usually means "of" but typically confusing of prepositions can also mean "from" or "about"

There is, in fact, a lot more to it than this but maybe get this first then check out a good grammar resource to consolidate and improve your knowledge. Hope this helps :)

[framericaine128]

This was super helpful, thanks so much!

[tuukkaanttila]

I saw "ad" instead of "a" elsewhere. What's the difference?

[bianchisue]

I think you use ad when the next word starts with a vowel. Is that right??

[CatherineBrahic]

why "da" and not "di"?

[Koloman1]

Because da mostly means from. Also if you want to say "from-to" it's always "da-a" or with the article "dal/dalla/dall'-al/alla/all' "