al
/al/
In Italian, al is the phrase for "to the".
al is a prepositional phrase used to indicate movement toward a specific destination. While al indicates a destination, the word Verso can also be used to convey a sense of movement toward a specific target.
What does it mean word for word?
The form al is a contraction of the preposition a (to) and the masculine singular article il (the).
Which one should you use?
al is used specifically for masculine singular nouns, whereas you should use alla for feminine singular nouns. The plural form for masculine nouns is ai, while the plural form for feminine nouns is alle.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the phrase changes based on the noun that follows it. Use al for most masculine singular nouns, but if the masculine singular noun begins with 's + consonant' or 'z', use allo instead. If the following masculine singular noun starts with a vowel, al becomes all'.
How do you pronounce it?
/al/
Did you know?
- Italian uses al in the phrase al dente to describe pasta that is cooked to a point where it still has a 'bite' to the tooth.
- In Italian, when you say you are going 'to the' station or 'to the' cinema, you often use al or allo to imply you are going to engage in the primary activity of that place. For example, going al cinema means you are going to see a film, not just to the building.
- While al means 'to the', using it in the phrase al fresco refers to the custom of eating or sitting outdoors in the cool air.
Examples in context
- Lei va al parco.She goes to the park.This sentence shows the use of al with a masculine singular noun.Tatoeba #13286468 by Guybrush88, translation #9202863 by DJ_Saidez
- Non andò al lago.He didn't go to the lake.This sentence shows how to use al in a negative statement.Tatoeba #4487190 by Guybrush88, translation #4487180 by carlosalberto
- Tom andò al lago.Tom went to the lake.This sentence shows how to use al to describe a past movement.Tatoeba #5399700 by Guybrush88, translation #2547524 by CK
- Vado al ristorante.I'm going to the restaurant.
- Il professore parla alla classe.The professor is speaking to the class.
- Vado ai negozi.I'm going to the shops.
- Parlo alle ragazze.I'm speaking to the girls.
- Vieni alla festa?Are you coming to the party?
- Dai alle ragazze i regali.Give to the girls the gifts.
- 4627 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Lorenzo are planning their afternoon walk.
- SofiaAndiamo al cinema?Shall we go to the cinema?
- LorenzoSì, andiamo al cinema stasera.Yes, let's go to the cinema tonight.
- SofiaOttimo, ci vediamo lì.Great, I'll see you there.
- LorenzoA presto, Sofia.See you soon, Sofia.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry al, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
