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How to Say ‘I'm American, but I've been living here for a year.’ in Italian

Sono americano, ma vivo qui da un anno.

SOH-noh ah-meh-ree-KAH-noh mah VEE-voh kwee dah oon AHN-noh

[SOH-noh ah-meh-ree-KAH-noh mah VEE-voh kwee dah oon AHN-noh]

Phrase Breakdown

Sono americano,

SOH-noh ah-meh-ree-KAH-noh

I'm American,

Say 'a-me-ri-KA-no'. Women say 'americana'.

Example

Sono americano di Boston.

I'm American, from Boston.

Words in this phrase

Sono

[SOH-noh]

I am

First person singular of essere, used to say who you are or where you are.

Example

Sono molto interessato alle opportunità di lavoro qui.

I am very interested in job opportunities here.

americano

[ah-meh-ree-KAH-noh]

American

Adjective of nationality for a man from the USA; feminine is 'americana'.

Example

Il mio amico è americano.

My friend is American.

ma vivo qui

mah VEE-voh kwee

but I've lived here

'Qui' sounds like 'kwee'. Italian uses the present tense here, not a past tense.

Example

Ma vivo qui con mia moglie.

But I live here with my wife.

Words in this phrase

[mah]

But

Used to introduce a contrasting statement or question.

Example

Ma non capisco perché ma allora lei è felice.

But I don't understand why but then she is happy.

vivo

[VEE-voh]

I live

First person singular present of 'vivere', to live.

Example

Vivo a Roma con mia sorella.

I live in Rome with my sister.

qui

[kwee]

here

Indicates this place; useful when talking about the current company or environment.

Example

"Qui" l'ambiente sembra molto collaborativo.

"Here" the environment seems very collaborative.

da un anno.

dah oon AHN-noh

for a year.

This gives the duration of something still going on.

Example

Lavoro qui da un anno.

I've worked here for a year.

Words in this phrase

[dah]

for / since

Used with time expressions to say how long something has been happening.

Example

Lavora qui "Da" anni con entusiasmo.

He/She has worked here "for" years with enthusiasm.

[oon]

a / an

An indefinite article meaning 'a' before a masculine singular noun.

Example

È stato un incontro molto utile.

It was a very useful meeting.

anno

[AHN-noh]

year

Masculine noun for a year of twelve months.

Example

Quest'anno vado in Italia.

This year I'm going to Italy.

Guides for Italian learners

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