guarda la luna
The English phrase 'look at the moon' is translated into Italian as guarda la luna.
This phrase is used as a request or command for someone to direct their eyes toward the moon.
What does it mean word for word?
The word guarda is the imperative or command form of the verb guardare, which means 'to look at' or 'to watch'.
Which one should you use?
Guarda la luna is the informal version used with friends, family or children. Use guardi la luna for a single person in a polite context and guardate la luna when commanding more than one person.
How does it change in a sentence?
When giving a polite command to a single person (the Lei form), use guardi la luna. To address a group of people, use the plural form guardate la luna.
Did you know?
- Italian uses luna to form the word lunatico, which means 'crazy' or 'erratic', reflecting an ancient belief that the moon influenced human sanity.
- The Italian word luna is a distant relative of the English word 'light'. Both trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root *lewk-, which meant 'bright'.
- While guarda la luna tells someone to look at the moon, the verb guardare is also used to mean 'to look after' or 'to take care of' in certain regional Italian contexts.
Examples in context
- Guarda la luna!Look at the moon!This sentence is useful for expressing the command guarda la luna.Tatoeba #13877517 by Guybrush88, translation #6576913 by Eccles17
- Guarda la luna, è spettacolare stanotte.Look at the moon, it's spectacular tonight.
- Guarda la luna, è bellissima stasera.Look at the moon, it is beautiful tonight.
- Smettila di parlare e guarda la luna.Stop talking and look at the moon.
Example conversation
Matteo and Martina are walking in a park at night.
- MatteoMartina, guarda la luna!Martina, look at the moon!
- MartinaSì, è davvero splendida.Yes, it is truly splendid.
- MatteoÈ molto luminosa stasera.It is very bright tonight.
- MartinaHai ragione, Matteo.You are right, Matteo.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, luna, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
