Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| a | /a/ | |
| in | /in/ | |
| per | /per/ | |
| ad | /a.d‿/ | before vowel |
The preposition a is used to express 'to' when indicating direction, destination or a goal. In certain contexts of movement, in can be used instead of a to mean 'to' when referring to certain types of large areas or specific countries. Additionally, per is used to indicate a destination when emphasizing the direction or purpose of travel or to mean 'for' in the sense of benefit or purpose.
Which one should you use?
a or ad is used to indicate a destination or a recipient, whereas per is used to indicate a destination when emphasizing the direction or purpose of travel. While a can mean 'to' in the sense of a recipient, per is used to mean 'for' in the sense of benefit or purpose. 'Verso' can be used when indicating movement towards a general direction or time.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form ad is used instead of a when the following word begins with a vowel to avoid a hiatus. Additionally, the forms -are, -ere and -arre serve as infinitive markers for verbs.
How do you pronounce it?
/a/
Did you know?
- In certain idiomatic phrases, the Italian a can actually derive from the Latin ā or ab, which originally meant 'from' or 'away from'.
- While a generally means 'to', it is used in the expression a presto to mean 'see you soon', treating the destination as a point in time rather than a place.
- The preposition per is used to express 'to' when giving a destination on a ticket or a transit sign, whereas a is used when you are actually arriving at the city.
Examples in context
- Lo dica a Tom.Tell that to Tom.This sentence shows how to use a to indicate a recipient.Tatoeba #2194066 by Guybrush88, translation #2648752 by CK
- Ora tocca a te!Now it's up to you!This sentence shows how to use a in a common expression.Tatoeba #1223989 by Guybrush88, translation #1223981 by rul
- Per me va bene.That is good to me.This sentence demonstrates the use of per to express an opinion or benefit.Tatoeba #1990007 by Guybrush88, translation #1121356 by cntrational
- Vado a RomaI'm going to Rome.
- Telefoniamo a MariaLet's call Maria.
- Partiamo per Firenze domaniWe're leaving for Florence tomorrow.
- Voglio imparare a cucinareI want to learn how to cook.
- Devi imparare a nuotareYou have to learn to swim.
- Puoi venire a cena con noiYou can come to dinner with us.
- Cammino verso casaI'm walking home.
- Andiamo da 'sto ragazzoLet's go to that guy's place.
- 13739 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Giulia are deciding where to go for a walk.
- LorenzoAndiamo a passeggio a piedi?Shall we go for a walk on foot?
- GiuliaSì, andiamo a piedi a casa di Marco.Yes, let's go on foot to Marco's house.
- LorenzoÈ troppo lontano a piedi?Is it too far on foot?
- GiuliaNo, arriviamo a casa sua in dieci minuti.No, we arrive at his house in ten minutes.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “to” translations and entries a, in, per, ad, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, ad, in, per, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
