Basic Prepositions and Their Core Meanings

In brief

Italian prepositions are short words that connect a noun or pronoun to the rest of a sentence. Common ones include di (of), a (to, at), da (from), in (in), con (with), su (on), per (for), and tra or fra (between). These English equivalents are a starting point, not a word-for-word rule.

Form

preposition + noun or pronoun: a Roma (to Rome), con me (with me), per te (for you).

Usage

• Use a for a destination such as a city: Vado a Roma (I’m going to Rome).
• Use da for a starting point: Vengo da Milano (I come from Milan).
• Use di to describe a kind or subject: un libro di storia (a history book).
• Use con for company, per for a recipient or purpose, and in for being inside a place.

Examples

• Vado a Roma. — I’m going to Rome.
• Vengo da Milano. — I come from Milan.
• Studio con Maria. — I study with Maria.
• Questo regalo è per te. — This gift is for you.

Common mistake

❌ Sono in Roma.

✅ Sono a Roma.

English says ‘in Rome,’ but Italian normally uses a with city names: a Roma.

Remember

Learn a preposition together with a short phrase, such as a Roma or con Maria.