Italian Language Game: Day Week Month Year

Play Italian Language Game: Day Week Month Year. A fun interactive vocabulary game to practice some basics: the singular and plural of these masculine and feminine nouns. (Photo by Juliana Malta on unsplash.com)

The somewhat tricky part for English speakers is that the definite article "the" has several singular and plural forms in Italian. Using a game to practice these four nouns is a good start to internalizing the forms and their sounds.

Learning just the rules of a language pattern is sometimes too abstract and overwhelming. Practicing the sounds of specific examples, helps to create automatic responses. For example, you learn and then know that "il giorno - i giorni" is the regular masculine pattern for nouns starting with a consonant (with the exceptions noted below in the "Summary of Italian Articles").

So, when you encounter other masculine nouns starting with a consonant*, you automatically know what the pattern is: "il ragazzo - i ragazzi" (the boy - the boys), "il fratello - i fratelli" (the brother - the brothers), "il campo - i campi" (the field - the fields), etc. etc. (*However, please note the exceptions below which use "lo" and "gli" instead of "il" and "i"!)

Day Week Month Year

As you play, say the words OUT LOUD and imitate the speaker.

• il giorno - the day (m)
• i giorni - the days (m)
• il mese - the month (m)
• i mesi - the months (m)
• la settimana - the week (f)
• le settimane - the weeks (f)
• l'anno - the year (m)
• gli anni - the years (m)
  
  

Summary of Italian Definite Articles

il   -for masculine singular nouns starting with a consonant
l'   -for masculine singular nouns starting with a vowel
lo  -for masculine singular nouns starting with s+consonant, z, y, gn, ps, pn
i    -for masculine plural nouns starting with a consonant
gli -for masculine plural nouns starting with a vowel, s+consonant, x, z, y, gn, ps, pn

la  -for feminine singular nouns starting with a consonant
l'   -for feminine singular nouns starting with a vowel
le  -for feminine plural nouns starting with a vowel or a consonant

For more easy games see also our post: 5 Easy Italian Language Games.

Or you can find ALL of them - over 60 by now - on the Italian Quick Language Games page.

If you like our Italian games, please SHARE them with your friends.

More than an Italian Language Game

With our Italian 1 course you'll practice Italian for FREE - with the story of a young man traveling through Italy. "The Story" and easy games will let you forget that you are actually learning Italian!
If you just play ONE lesson a day (we call them "Scenes") - and review the previous day's dialogue and Scene - you'll be amazed how much you'll have learned after 36 days!
And make sure to listen to the Podcast after each Level (six Scenes)

Italian Language Game: Using "tu" or "Lei"

Italian Language Game: Using "tu" or "Lei".  A quick online game as a mini-story. Marco is introduced to Claudia, the sister of a friend. How should he address her? Use the familiar form of address right away?
(Photo thanks to Adrian Krajcar on Unsplash)
Play this quick Italian online game to practice 15 Italian words and phrases.
Note that in Italian the pronoun is often dropped, except for emphasis or clarity. But in any case, with or without a pronoun, you always have to use the correct verb form.

Using "Tu" or "Lei":

The pronoun "tu" is the singular familiar word for "you". It goes with the second person singular verb form.
Use the familiar form of address with family and relatives, children, good friends, classmates, and some people at work.
Using the familiar form is appropriate to use when know each other well, are of similar age, have equal status, etc.

"Lei" is the singular formal word for "you", and it goes with the third person singular verb form. The formal "Lei" is used with both men and women.
Use the formal form of address with older people, strangers, and in professional situations.
Using the third person singular form shows respect and/or distance, and should be used when in doubt.

Note that "lei" also means "she" in Italian. The context of a conversation tells you which meaning is being used: "she" or the formal "you".

We very much like Silvia Perrone's explanations for "tu" and "Lei" in her post here.

When playing the game, say the Italian OUT LOUD.
Click again on the Italian to practice saying the word or sentence again.
Try to "shadow" each of the sentences, by saying them at the same time as the speaker.
Even if you're familiar with all the words, it takes practice to say a sentence in natural speed.

Words in Italian Mini-Story Language Game

• Piacere. - Nice to meet you.
• Piacere di conoscerla. - Pleased to meet you. (formal)
• essere - to be
• Non essere così formale. - Don't be so formal. (fam.)
• potete - you(pl) can
• dare - to give
• vi - (you pl.) each other [reciprocal]
• Potete darvi del “tu”! - You(pl) can use "tu" with each other.
• per te - for you (familiar)
• va bene - it's okay
• Se per te va bene. - If it's okay with you. (fam.)
• certamente - of course
• noi studenti- we students
• ci - (we) each other [reciprocal]
• ci diamo tutti del “tu” - we all use "tu" with each other

This brief story is also part of our Italian 1 course.
(You can play the complete course for FREE by registering HERE.)
After playing the game, try to recall some of the words and phrases.
It's a good way to become familiar with new vocabulary.
For more easy games see also our post: 5 Easy Italian Language Games.
Or you can find ALL of them - over 60 by now - on the Italian Quick Language Games page.
If you like our Italian games, please SHARE them with your friends.

More Than an Italian Language Game

Remember: You can practice Italian online for FREE with our 36-Scene Italian 1 Travel-Story: "Marco in Italia".
In it you learn and practice all the words, phrases and sentences you also hear in the Italian 1 podcasts. Just login HERE.
And, if you have any language questions  - don't hesitate to contact us!

Italian Language Game: È libero questo posto

Italian Language Game: È libero questo posto? - Is this seat free?
In this quick Italian online game, you'll learn and practice 16 Italian phrases in the context of a mini-story.
This brief episode tells about Marco's train trip from Pisa to Florence.
The mini-story is also part of our Italian 1 course.
(You can play the complete course for FREE by registering HERE.)
As you play the game, say the Italian OUT LOUD.
Once you know the words, don't translate, just try to understand! 
After you've practiced and recalled some of the individual words, you'll hear the mini-story again.
This time "shadow" the sentences, by saying them together with the speaker in natural speed.
Note that in Italian, the words for "I, you, he, she" etc. are often dropped, unless they are needed for clarity or emphasis.

Phrases in Italian Mini-Story Language Game

• va - he goes [andare]
• al bianario tre - to track three
• non deve - he doesn't have to
• aspettare a lungo - to wait long
• prima che il treno arrivi - before the train arrives [prima che + subjunctive]
• sul treno - on the train
• trova subito - he finds right away [trovare]
• un posto al finestrino - a seat at the (train) window
• proprio mentre - just as
• inizia a leggere - he begins to read
• la guida turistica - the travel guide
• sente - he hears [sentire]
• È libero questo posto? - Is this seat free?
• una giovane donna - a young woman
• si siede - (she) sits down [sedersi]
• di fronte a lui - opposite to him

After playing the game, look at the words again and read them aloud.
For more easy games see also our post: 5 Easy Italian Language Games.
Or you can find ALL of them - over 60 by now - on the Italian Quick Language Games page.
If you like our Italian games, please SHARE them with your friends.

More Than an Italian Language Game

And don't forget: You can practice Italian online for FREE with our 36-Scene Italian 1 Travel-Story: "Marco in Italia".
In it you learn and practice all the words, phrases and sentences you also hear in the Italian 1 podcasts. Just login HERE.
And, if you have any language questions  - don't hesitate to contact us!

Italian Language Game: Quando parte...?

Italian Language Game: Quando parte il prossimo treno? - When does the next train leave?
In this quick online game, you'll practice 13 Italian words and phrases in the context of a mini-story.
Marco has just bought a ticket to take the train from Pisa to Florence.
He asks the ticket agent when the train will leave and from what track. 
The mini-story is also part of our Italian 1 course.
(You can play the complete course for FREE by registering HERE.)
Note that in Italian, the words for "I, you, he, she" etc. are often dropped, unless they are needed for clarity or emphasis.
Always say the words, phrases, and sentences OUT LOUD.
Don't translate, and try to understand as you speak! 
After you've practiced and recalled the individual words, you'll hear the mini-story again.
This time "shadow" the sentences, by saying them together with the speaker in natural speed.

Phrases in Italian Mini-Story Language Game

• prende - s/he takes [prendere]
• il suo biglietto - his ticket
• poi - then
• chiede alla biglietteria - he asks the ticket agent [chiedere]
• quando parte il prossimo treno? - when does the next train leave?
• il treno regionale veloce - the fast regional train
• tra sette minuti - in seven minutes
• alle dieci e diciotto - at ten eighteen
• devo cambiare treno? - do I have to change trains?
• no, non deve - no, you don't have to [dovere]
• sa - you know (formal) [sapere]
• da quale binario - from which track
• dal binario tre - from track three

After playing the game, look at the words again and read them aloud.
For more easy games see also our post: 5 Easy Italian Language Games.
Or you can find ALL of them - over 60 by now - on the Italian Quick Language Games page.
If you like our Italian games, please SHARE them with your friends.

More Than an Italian Language Game

And don't forget: You can practice Italian online for FREE with our 36-Scene Italian 1 Travel-Story: "Marco in Italia".
In it you learn and practice all the words, phrases and sentences you also hear in the Italian 1 podcasts. Just login HERE.
And, if you have any language questions  - don't hesitate to contact us!

Italian Language Game: Alla stazione ferroviaria

Italian Language Game: Alla stazione ferroviaria - At the train station
In this quick online game, you'll practice 14 Italian words and phrases in the context of a brief story.
Marco takes the train from Pisa to Florence, where he visits a friend.
The mini-story is also part of our Italian 1 course.
(You can play the complete course for FREE by registering HERE.)

Say the words and phrases OUT LOUD with or right after the native speaker.
Don't translate, and try to understand as you speak!
You'll also improve your pronunciation and listening skills.
Note that in Italian, the words for "I, you, he, she" etc. are often dropped, unless they are needed for clarity or emphasis.
After you've practiced and recalled the individual words, you'll hear the mini-story again.
This time "shadow" the sentences, by saying them together with the speaker in natural speed.

Words in Italian Mini-Story Language Game

• mercoledì - Wednesday
• la zia - the aunt
• accompagna - s/he accompanies [accompagnare]
• alla stazione ferroviaria - to the train station
• alla biglietteria - at the ticket window
• dice - s/he says [dire]
• un biglietto - one ticket
• di seconda classe - (of) second class
• sola andata - one-way (trip)
• andata e ritorno - round trip
• sono sei euro - it's 6 euros
• il treno regionale veloce - the fast regional train
• ecco dieci euro - here are 10 euros
• quattro euro di resto - 4 euros change
  
  

Before playing the game, look at the words and read them aloud.
And when you have time, write out as many as you can by hand.
That will help you to remember the words better.
Most importantly, always say the Italian OUT LOUD!
For more easy games see also our post: 5 Easy Italian Language Games.
Or you can find ALL of them - over 60 by now - on the Italian Quick Language Games page.
If you like our Italian games, please SHARE them with your friends.

More Than an Italian Language Game

And don't forget: You can practice Italian online for FREE with our 36-Scene Italian 1 Travel-Story: "Marco in Italia".
In it you learn and practice all the words, phrases and sentences you also hear in the podcasts. Just login HERE.
And, if you have any language questions  - don't hesitate to contact us!