Italian conversation

Ciao,

cosa significa "quale libro voleva la donna?" in inglese? is it which book did the woman want to see? however, why is la donna (the woman/ object) placed at the last of the question unlike in english?

grazie!

Hi Rachelyeo,

To add emphasis, when the question begins with elements other than the subject, as in this case, the subject is usually at the end of the sentence to achieve a better sound. When you only have a subject and a verb, the subject generally comes before the verb as in affirmative sentences (es. La donna vuole un libro?).

In Italian it's not compulsory to add the subject, so when it is added it's to add emphasis. Quale libro voleva la donna? means "Which book did the woman want?". "Which book did the woman want to see" is Che libro voleva vedere la donna?.

Hope this helps!

Lucia