ILGUR: Italian Language, Grammar and Usage Resource

Since is one of those English words that can get a bit confusing when trying to find its equivalent in Italian because it’s one of those words that is not simply a direct translation.  Recently, a reader asked me to explain the uses of visto che and dato che and decided to combine the readers question into the more expanded topic of since.

In English, since can be a preposition, adverb or a conjunction.  Let’s look at how this all works in Italian:

Since as a preposition:

As a preposition, since is translated with the preposition, da — this is usually with time expressions:

Suono il flauto da 13 anni.

I have been playing the flute for thirteen years.

Faccio il professore dal 2003.

I have been a teacher since 2003.

Notice the use of the present tense + da — you can read more about that here.

Since as a conjunction:

As a conjunction, since is expressed in two ways:

1) from the time when | da quando, dal tempo in cui: This usage is similar to since as a preposition except that this is used as a conjunction  - remember in this construction as a conjunction, it must join two clauses.

Suono il flauto da quando avevo 13 anni.

I have been playing the flute since I was thirteen.

2) because, given that | visto che, dato che, poiché

Non andiamo al cinema visto che sei stanco.

We are not going to the cinema seeing that (since) you are tired.

Dato che non sei abituato al caldo, forse è meglio non uscire questo pomeriggio.

Given that you are not used to the heat, perhaps it is better not go out this afternoon.

Poiché nevicava, ho deciso di stare a casa. Le strade sono pericolose!

Since it was snowing, I decided to stay home. The streets are dangerous.

NB: Visto che and dato che can be used synonymously.

Since as an adverb:

Since can also be used adverbially. In English, since can mean subsequently and usually refers to some previous point in the past. It can also refer to a definite point in the past that relates to the present or can be synonymous with “ago”:

When since means subsequently, use da allora:

Non l’ho vista da allora.

I have not seen her since.

Da allora ci siamo visti ogni estate.

We’ve seen each other every summer since.

Take note of these English expressions using since and their approximate Italian equivalents:

not long since | da poco, da poco tempo
ever since | da allora
long since | da molto, da molto tempo, da un pezzo
many years since | molti anni fa

The following adjectives and nouns precede the preposition, in; an infinitive or noun typically follow the preposition, in.

Take note that the preposition, in, does not necessarily mean in in English, but also to, at, of, etc.

Also, note that the preposition, in, becomes nel or nello with many infinitives (since most infinitives can be used as masculine nouns in Italian):

• abile / adept at

  Gli studenti sono abili nello sport.
  The students are adept at sport.

  Mia madre è abile nel cucinare. I suoi piatti sono magnifici!
  My mother is adept at cooking. Her dishes are magnificent!

• abilità / ability to

  Mio cugino ha l’abilità nel cucinare bene.
  My cousin has the ability to cook well.

• bravo / good at

  Sei bravo in matematica?
  Are you good at math?

• coinvolto / implicated

  I criminali sono coinvolti nei delitti.
  The criminals are implicated in the crimes.

• commerciante / trader

  I miei parenti sono commercianti nelle spezie.
  My relateves are traders in spices.

• debole / weak

  Tanti studenti sono deboli in matematica.
  Too many students are weak in math.

• diploma / diploma

  Giovanni ha un diploma in biologia.
  John has a diploma in biology.

• diplomato / graduate
• dottorato / doctorate
• dottore / doctor
• esperto / expert

  Siamo esperti nei francobolli esteri.
  We are experts in foreign stamps.

• fiducioso / confident

  Non sono fiducioso in te perché non studi mai.
  I am not confident in you because you never study.
  

• forte / strong
• genio / genius at

  Il mio fratellino è genio negli scacchi.
  My little brother is a genius at chess.

• impegnato / committed with, busy with

  Katrina è sempre impegnata nello studiare. Non ha mai tempo per me.
  Katrin is always busy with studying. She never has time for me.

• laurea / bachelor’s degree
• laureato / with a bachelor’s degree
• lento / slow to

  I miei sono lenti in arrivare. Mia madre guida come una lumaca.
  My parents are always slow to arrive. My mother drives like a snail.

• preciso / precise

  Il ricercatore era preciso in formulare l’eperimento.
  The researcher was precise in formulating the experiment.

• rapido / fast

  Il treno era rapido nel arrivare alla stazione.
  The train was fast to arrive at the station.
  

• specialità / specialty
• specialista / specialist
• trasandato / shabby

  Marco è trasandato nel vestire.
  Marco is shabbily dressed.

Some prepositions in Italian contract with the definite article. These prepositions are called preposizioni articolate and apply to the following prepositions:

Con (with) may combine with the definite article, but this is usage is becoming non-standard. Per (for - has other idiomatic meanings) may combine with the definite article, but this is seen only in archaic Italian and some poetry. Tra and fra (among, between) never combine with the definite article.

MOLTO IMPORTANTE: The preposition and definite article always combine. When in doubt, it’s a good idea to assume it is to be combined. However, there are idiomatic exceptions where the definite article is omited or not combined with the preposition (unless it is modified by adjectives or other prepositional phrases). Below are some common expressions where the definite article is not combined with the preposition. Often there is very little rhyme or reason to this so take your cue from native speakers and Italian writing.

TAKE NOTE: When the noun in the expression below are modified, then the definite article is combined with the preposition. Some examples are shown below.

• con disappunto
  to the disappointment 

   

• in casa
  at home; in the house
  
• in classe (but nella piccola classe)
  in class
  
  
• in bagno
  in the bathtub, in the tub
  
• in biblioteca (but nella biblioteca dell’università)
  in the library 

• in bolletta
  in the bill 

• a casa
  at home 

• in campo
  in the field 

• in città
  in the city 

• in cucina
  in the kitchen
  Typically, when referring to location within a home, the definite article is not used:
  Siamo in salotto. = We are in the drawing room.
  
• in chiesa
  in church
  
• a letto
  in bed
  
• in caserma
  in the barracks 

• in montagna
  in the mountains
  
• in poltrona
  in the chair
  
• in ufficio
  at the office
  
• in banca
  in the bank, at the bank
  
• a teatro
  at the theatre
  
• in piscina
  in the pool
  
• in discoteca
  at the disco
  
• in ospedale
  at the hospital, in the hospital 

• in qualità
  in the quality 

• in tribunale
  in court, at court, before the court 

• una mancanza di, la mancanza di
  a lack of, the lack of
  you will often see this expression where the prepositon is simply followed by the noun
  i.e.: una mancanza di soldi, la mancanza di comunicazione 

• in agguato
  in/into a trap; in/into an ambush