Grammar Lesson 24:

The adjective: an overview

An adjective indicates the quality and quantity of the person or thing expressed by the noun to which it refers. In Italian the adjectives are classified as "Qualificativi" (Qualifying) or "Determinativi" (Determining):

1. Qualifying adjectives - as the name suggests - are used to describe a quality of the noun to which they refer. For example:

Ieri sera ho visto un film interessante  (Last night I saw an interesting movie)

Interessante = qualifying adjective

2. Determining adjectives are used to make it clear what the noun is referring to.

There are five types of determining adjectives:

1. Possessivi (Possessive, such as my, their) —> il mio cappotto / my coat
2. Dimostrativi (Demonstrative, such as this, that) —> questo cappotto / this coat
3. Indefiniti (Indefinite, such as any, each) —> un cappotto qualunque / any coat
4. Interrogativi (Interrogative, such as which, what) —> quale cappotto? / what coat?
5. Esclamativi (Exclamatory, such as what) —> e che cappotto! / what a coat!
6. Numerali (Numerals, such as two, second) —> i due cappotti / the two coats

Learn Italian and other languages online with our audio flashcard system and various exercises, such as multiple choice tests, writing exercises, games and listening exercises. Click here to Sign Up Free! Or sign up via Facebook/Google with one click:     Watch a short Intro by a real user!