"Gli uomini scrivono nello zucchero."

Translation: The men write in the sugar.

[GinL11]

A lot of language packages use nonsensical sentances to teach you the structure of sentences and correct conjunction of words. Try not to get too hung up on the meaning of the actual sentance.

[moosie40]

I suspect they use words we have been introduced to previously to illustrate usages. I think zucchero is the only word we know, so far, that starts with "z". Words starting with "z" are an exception to the il, i, la, le rules.

[Rae.F]

Oh, it's more than that.

Rules for the definite article:

https://i.imgur.com/aJ7Qlgb.jpg

Rules for the indefinite article:

Masculine

https://i.imgur.com/ioiRcSS.png

Feminine

https://i.imgur.com/7WZMfoO.png

[mahmoud.al9]

What the difference between "nel" and "nello"?

[Rae.F]

That all depends on which form of "the" you need to use. There is a table further up this page that explains the definite article. Then it's a matter of forming a contraction with the preposition.

https://i.imgur.com/1Uh64MZ.png

[DesireeSmi15]

how do you do that

[julia.s.h]

http://teachingmama.org/winter-sensory-play-day-4/

[Graham921389]

In line with the pen of my aunt is on the table.

[alexvs87]

Why you cant use singular for man in these sentence?

[tu.8zPhLD72zzoZN]

gli uomini = the men

l'uomo = the man

http://dictionary.reverso.net/italian-english/uomini

[GeorgeHueb]

How could you distinguish between writing in sugar, as in sugar spread on a table; and writing in sugar, as in using sugar as the "ink" to write on a bare surface.

If that isnt clear think of these things: Writing in sand on a beach, contrasted to writing with glue and colored sand on paper.

[epac-mcl]

You said it yourself. "Writing in" or "Writing with".

[JesuisVegan123]

Why is "gli" and not "i" they are both used for plural but isn't "gli" used before Z, S and gn.
Why "i" is not used here? Thanks in advance

[Mike88Fo]

I think you are confusing rules for gli with rules for lo, they are not connected. "gli" is used for masculine plural nouns beginning with a vowel, "i" is used for those beginning with a consonant. "Lo" is for singulars beginning gn, z, s+consonant and p+consonant. Hope this helps.

[luskinhacr]

The llo in "nello" is pronounced like llo in spanish?

[Rae.F]

No, it's pronounced more or less how you would expect to pronounce it in English.

[OscarAlvar91222]

What even is this sentence?

[Fiyalka2]

This sentence is:
- an excellent brain test. Do you really understand the words?
- a practice of the plural article for uomo: gli uomini.
- a practice of nello in front of words with z or s+consonant.
- a lot of fun, which makes it 10 times more likely you will remember the two points above.
- a chance to read the best comment page ever and to learn an additional meaning of the Brasilian word for sugar.