How to Say Where You're From - Lesson Focus

Learn the key pattern to say where you're from

Also Appears In: Can Introduce Yourself Level 1.1 Can Do Italian

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Lesson Transcript

Let's take a closer look at the conversation.

Do you remember how Paolo Parisi asks,

"Where are you from?"

Paolo Parisi : Di dov'è?

First is di, meaning "from" in this context. Di (enunciated). Di.

Next is dov'è, a formal phrase which translates as "Where are you?" Dov'è?

First is, dove, "where." Dove (enunciated). Dove.

Next is è, "[you] are" when using formal Italian. è (enunciated). È.

Note: è is a shortened form of lei è, "you are." In Italian, lei, "you" when using formal Italian, can be omitted when it is understood from context. è is from the verb essere, meaning "to be." Essere.

Dove is contracted with è to form dov'è.

All together, Di dov'è? "Where are you from?" Di dov'è?

Remember this question. You'll hear it again later in this lesson.

Now, let's take a closer look at the response.

Do you remember how Mark Lee says,

"I am from New York."

Mark Lee : Sono di New York.

First is sono. "[I] am." Sono (enunciated). Sono.

Note: in this sentence, sono is a shortened form of io sono, "I am." In Italian, io, "I," is usually omitted, as it's understood from context.

Sono is from the verb essere, meaning "to be." Essere.

Next is di, "from" in this context. Di.

Last is the city, New York. "New York." New York (enunciated). New York.

All together, Sono di New York. "I am from New York." Sono di New York.

The pattern is

Sono di {CITY NAME}.

"I am from {CITY NAME}."

Sono di {CITY NAME}.

Note: this pattern only works with the names of cities, villages, or towns.

To use this pattern, simply replace the {CITY NAME} placeholder with the name of your hometown city.

Imagine you're from Sydney. In Italian, Sydney. Sydney (enunciated). Sydney.

Say

"I am from Sydney."

Ready?

Sono di Sydney.

"I am from Sydney."

Sono di Sydney.

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