Lesson 1.7 - "Some"

I'm a beginner in lesson 1.7.  I've discovered that (including the 8 forms of di) there are at least 13 ways to say “some”!  This doesn't even include using a definite article to imply the meaning.  I get that “di” is a common way to say “some” meaning that you're taking an action with a portion of the noun but not all the noun in the world, i.e "Mangio della pasta" = "I'm eating some pasta".  

However, is there a rule around when I would use “di”, “qualche”, “alcuni/e” or “un po di”?  Or is this more a matter of personal preference or emphasis, like the English, “a couple”, “a few”, “several”, etc.?

Grazie,

Sandy

Ciao Sandy,

It's great to see your enthusiasm for learning Italian! You're right; there are indeed multiple ways to express the concept of "some" in Italian. Understanding when to use each form can be a bit nuanced, but I'll try to provide some guidelines to help you navigate it.

➜ "Di": As you mentioned, "di" is commonly used to indicate an unspecified quantity or portion of a noun. It is often used in combination with the partitive article "della," "del," "dell'," etc., depending on the gender and number of the noun. For example:

• ⇾ Mangio della pasta (I'm eating some pasta).
• ⇾ Bevo del succo (I'm drinking some juice).
•  

➜ "Qualche": "Qualche" translates to "some" or "a few" and is used to express an indefinite quantity of something. It is often used with countable nouns in the singular form. 

For example:

• ⇾ Ho comprato qualche libro (I bought some books).
• ⇾ Vorrei mangiare qualche biscotto (I would like to eat some cookies).
•  

➜ "Alcuni/Alcune": "Alcuni" is the plural form of "alcuno," and "alcune" is the feminine plural form. Both mean "some" or "a few" and are used with countable nouns. 

For example:

• ⇾ Ci sono alcuni studenti nella classe (There are some students in the class).
• ⇾ Alcune persone sono arrivate in ritardo (Some people arrived late).
•  

➜ "Un po' di": This expression means "a little" or "a bit of" and is used to indicate a small quantity of something. It is often followed by the partitive article "di" and a noun. 

For example:

• ⇾ Voglio un po' di zucchero nel caffè (I want a bit of sugar in my coffee).
• ⇾ Abbiamo un po' di tempo prima della riunione (We have a little time before the meeting).
•  

In some cases, these forms can be used interchangeably, while in others, the choice may depend on personal preference or emphasis. Paying attention to how native speakers use these expressions in context can also be helpful in understanding their nuances.

As you progress in your Italian journey, you'll naturally develop a sense of when to use each form. Don't worry too much about memorizing all the nuances right away; with practice and exposure to the language, it will become more intuitive.

Keep up the excellent work, and if you have any more questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask. Buon proseguimento!