vengo da
The Italian phrase for "I come from" is vengo da.
vengo da is a phrase used to state the place where a person was born or grew up.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the first-person singular present of venire (to come) and the preposition da (from).
Which one should you use?
While vengo da describes origin, sono di (I am from) is more commonly used in Italian to state one's place of birth or hometown in casual conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
The preposition da does not require an article when naming a city, such as in vengo da Roma.
Did you know?
- The word da in vengo da can also be used to indicate a destination if it precedes a person, such as vengo da te meaning 'I am coming to your place'.
- If an Italian says vengo da followed by a professional, such as vengo dal medico, it means they are coming from a doctor's appointment, not that they were born there.
- The preposition da is a linguistic hybrid, evolving from a blend of the Latin words dē and ā/ab.
Examples in context
- Io vengo dalla Cina.I come from China.This sentence is useful for stating that you come from China using vengo da.Tatoeba #2132861 by Guybrush88, translation #717392 by CN
- Io vengo da Saitama.I come from Saitama.This sentence is useful for stating that you come from Saitama using vengo da.Tatoeba #5043890 by Guybrush88, translation #257700 by CN
- Io vengo dal Brasile.I come from Brazil.This sentence is useful for stating that you come from Brazil using vengo da.Tatoeba #1545757 by Guybrush88, translation #255520 by CK
- Vengo da Milano, in Italia.I come from Milan, Italy.
- Vengo da Roma, in Italia.I come from Rome, Italy.
- Vengo da Napoli, Italia.I come from Naples, Italy.
- 35 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Sofia are chatting at a party.
- MatteoCiao Sofia, di dove sei?Hi Sofia, where are you from?
- SofiaVengo da una bella città della Toscana.I come from a beautiful city in Tuscany.
- MatteoChe bello! Io vengo da Roma.How lovely! I come from Rome.
- SofiaDavvero? Anche io sono romana!Really? I am Roman too!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries da, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
