Understanding the Uses of 'Per' in Italian Sentences

What is 'Per' in Italian?

In Italian, the word "per" is a versatile preposition that can be translated to several English equivalents including "for," "by," "through," "because of," "in order to," and more. Mastering its uses will significantly improve your Italian sentence construction.

Common Uses of 'Per'

• Indicating duration
• Expressing purpose
• In measurements
• Signifying motivation
• To denote cause or reason

Indicating Duration

"Per" is often used to express duration or time span. For example, "Ho vissuto in Italia per due anni." This translates to "I lived in Italy for two years."

Expressing Purpose

When you want to express the purpose of an action, "per" often comes into play. An example is "Studio italiano per migliorare la mia carriera" meaning "I study Italian to improve my career."

In Measurements

"Per" is frequently used in measurements and ratios. For example, "Venti chilometri per ora" means "Twenty kilometers per hour."

Signifying Motivation

You can use "per" to denote motivation or reason behind an action. For instance, "Piango per la felicità" translates to "I cry out of happiness."

Denoting Cause or Reason

Similarly, "per" often indicates the cause or reason. You might say "Sono in ritardo per il traffico" meaning "I am late because of the traffic."

Common Phrases Using 'Per'

Tips for Using 'Per' Accurately

Here are a few tips to ensure you're using "per" accurately: Pay attention to context, as it can change the meaning significantly. Also, practice with common phrases to get a feel of its usage.