Italian
(das) Italienisch
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Italian
The Italian language, spoken mainly in Italy and parts of Switzerland. The word can also refer to the school subject or someone's proficiency in the language.
Das Italienisch in diesem Lehrbuch ist leicht verständlich.
The Italian in this textbook is easy to understand.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| genitive | (des) Italienisch |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | (das) Italienisch das Italienische | – |
| accusative | (das) Italienisch das Italienische | – |
| dative | (dem) Italienisch | – |
| genitive | (des) Italienisch (des) Italienischs, des Italienischen | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Italienisch' (Italian) is formed from 'Italien' (Italy) and the suffix '-isch'. When used as the name of the language, this nominalized adjective is capitalized and often used without an article.
Sie lernt seit einem Jahr Italienisch.
She has been learning Italian for a year.
Common collocations include 'Italienisch lernen' (to learn Italian), 'Italienisch sprechen' (to speak Italian), and 'Italienisch verstehen' (to understand Italian). When Italian refers to the language used for communication, 'auf Italienisch' (in Italian) is often used.
Kannst du die Anleitung auf Italienisch erklären?
Can you explain the instructions in Italian?
Er versteht schon viel Italienisch.
He already understands a lot of Italian.
After 'auf', 'Italienisch' (Italian) usually refers to the language in which something is said or written. With verbs such as 'lernen' (to learn), 'sprechen' (to speak), or 'verstehen' (to understand), it often refers to language proficiency or language acquisition.
Die Gäste unterhielten sich auf Italienisch.
The guests were chatting in Italian.
Ihr Italienisch wird von Monat zu Monat besser.
Her Italian is getting better every month.
