Italian grammar
Ho visto Andrés (standard) vs ho visto ad Andrés (Roma e Sud): l'oggetto diretto con "a"
Recognise the southern "a" before a person (ho visto ad Andrés) and use the standard form.
From the scene Ho visto Andrés o ad Andrés? (Ho visto Andrés or ho visto ad Andrés?)
In short
Standard Italian has no a before a direct object: ho visto Andrés. Rome and the South often add it.
Your turn
Which one goes with I saw Andrés (standard)?
Options: ho visto ad Andrés · l'ha visto? · ho visto Andrés
Show answer
I saw Andrés (standard) → ho visto Andrés
How it works
Standard Italian puts no preposition before a direct object, even a person: ho visto Andrés, conosco Andrés, l'ho salutato.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Be', (blank) ad Andrés. Era nelle tue foto.
Clue: I know Andrés
Options: conosce · conosciuto · conosco
Show answer
Be', conosco ad Andrés. Era nelle tue foto.
Well, I know Andrés. He was in your photos.
Good to know
In Rome and much of the South, people often say ho visto ad Andrés or chiama a tuo fratello. Recognise it, but in standard Italian leave the a out.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Be', io ho (blank) ad Andrés e l'ho chiamato per nome.
Options: saluto · salutato · salutata
Show answer
Be', io ho salutato ad Andrés e l'ho chiamato per nome.
Well, I said hello to Andrés and called him by his name.
I saw Andrés (Rome & South) ho visto ad Andrés
Elena
Io ho visto ad Andrés stamattina all'angolo.
I saw Andrés this morning on the corner.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Io (blank) stamattina all'angolo.
Options: ho visto ad Andrés · ho visto Andrés · l'ha visto
Show answer
Elena
Io ho visto ad Andrés stamattina all'angolo.
I saw Andrés this morning on the corner.
I saw Andrés (standard) ho visto Andrés
Your turn
What goes with ho visto Andrés?
Options: I saw Andrés (standard) · I saw Andrés (Rome & South) · did you see him? (Lei)
Show answer
ho visto Andrés → I saw Andrés (standard)
did you see him? (Lei) l'ha visto?
Javi
L'ha visto? E come sa che era lui?
You saw him? And how do you know it was him?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank)? E come sa che era lui?
Options: Ho visto ad Andrés · Ho visto Andrés · L'ha visto
Show answer
Javi
L'ha visto? E come sa che era lui?
You saw him? And how do you know it was him?
I know him (Rome & South / standard) conosco ad Andrés · conosco Andrés
Your turn
What goes with conosco ad Andrés · conosco Andrés?
Options: I saw Andrés (Rome & South) · I saw Andrés (standard) · I know him (Rome & South / standard)
Show answer
conosco ad Andrés · conosco Andrés → I know him (Rome & South / standard)
I said hello to him l'ho salutato
Common mistake
Not lo or gli here. Signora Elena, southern / Spanish style.
Io ho visto ad Andrés stamattina all'angolo.
I saw Andrés this morning on the corner.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| I saw Andrés (Rome & South) | ho visto ad Andrés |
|---|---|
| I saw Andrés (standard) | ho visto Andrés |
| did you see him? (Lei) | l'ha visto? |
| I know him (Rome & South / standard) | conosco ad Andrés · conosco Andrés |
| I said hello to him | l'ho salutato |
More lines from the story
- ElenaBe', conosco ad Andrés. Era nelle tue foto.Well, I know Andrés. He was in your photos.
- ElenaBe', io ho salutato ad Andrés e l'ho chiamato per nome.Well, I said hello to Andrés and called him by his name.
- ElenaChe non si chiamava Andrés. Che era il postino.That his name wasn't Andrés. That he was the postman.
- NuriaIo non metto la a. Faccio come te.I don't put the "a". I do it like you.