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How to Say ‘The remote is my hostage.’ in Italian

Il telecomando è il mio ostaggio.

eel teh-leh-koh-MAHN-doh eh eel MEE-oh oh-STAHJ-joh

[eel teh-leh-koh-MAHN-doh eh eel MEE-oh oh-STAHJ-joh]

💬 Usage Tip: mio "my" keeps il in front: il mio ostaggio, literally "the my hostage". Same with la mia pizza "my pizza".

Phrase Breakdown

Il telecomando

eel teh-leh-koh-MAHN-doh

The remote control

This is the subject of the sentence. 'Il' is the masculine article and stays with its noun.

Example

Il telecomando è sul divano.

The remote control is on the sofa.

Words in this phrase

[eel]

the

Masculine singular definite article used before a masculine singular noun.

Example

Nella frase Il tempo personale, Il introduce il concetto di tempo privato.

In the phrase 'Il tempo personale,' 'Il' introduces the concept of private time.

telecomando

[teh-leh-koh-MAHN-doh]

remote control

Masculine noun for a TV or device remote.

Example

Il telecomando non funziona.

The remote doesn't work.

è il mio ostaggio.

eh eel MEE-oh oh-STAHJ-joh

is my hostage.

'È' means 'is' and has an open 'e' sound. In Italian, possessives usually take an article: 'il mio'. 'Ostaggio' is said os-TAG-gio, with a double 'g' and a soft 'j' sound.

Example

Il cane è il mio migliore amico.

The dog is my best friend.

Words in this phrase

[eh]

Third-person singular of 'essere'; used to describe a person, company, or situation.

Example

Quando dici È in È molto umana, stai descrivendo l'azienda.

When you say 'È' in 'È molto umana,' you are describing the company.

[eel]

the

Masculine singular definite article used before a masculine singular noun.

Example

Nella frase Il tempo personale, Il introduce il concetto di tempo privato.

In the phrase 'Il tempo personale,' 'Il' introduces the concept of private time.

mio

[MEE-oh]

Possessive adjective used with masculine singular nouns.

Example

Mio fratello prende un caffè lungo.

My brother has a long coffee.

ostaggio

[oh-STAHJ-joh]

hostage

Masculine noun: a person or thing held to force a demand.

Example

La polizia ha liberato l'ostaggio.

The police freed the hostage.

Guides for Italian learners

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