Italian Possession: Using 'di' for 's and 'of'
Learn to express possession in Italian using 'di' phrases, equivalent to English 's and 'of'. Understand how to say 'Maria's bag' and 'the end of the film'.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In English, we show possession with apostrophe s (Maria's bag) or 'of' phrases (the end of the film). Italian does not use apostrophe s. Instead, it uses the preposition 'di' (meaning 'of') to link the possessor to the possessed item. This lesson teaches you how to form possessive phrases using 'di' with definite articles, and how to avoid common mistakes. You will learn to talk about who owns what, using simple nouns and names.
By the end, you can…
- express possession using 'di' + noun/name.
- form phrases like 'Maria's bag' and 'the end of the film' in Italian.
- use the correct definite article with possessive 'di' phrases.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
La borsa di Maria
Maria's bag
lah BOR-sah dee mah-REE-ah
Use 'di' to show possession. The definite article 'la' is required before the possessed noun.
La fine del film
The end of the film
lah FEE-neh del feelm
'del' is the contraction of 'di' + 'il'. Used when the possessed noun is masculine singular.
Il libro di Paolo
Paolo's book
eel LEE-broh dee PAH-oh-loh
Proper names are not preceded by an article. 'di Paolo' means 'of Paolo'.
La porta della casa
The door of the house
lah POR-tah DEL-lah KAH-zah
'della' is 'di' + 'la'. Used with feminine singular nouns.
I colori dei fiori
The colors of the flowers
ee koh-LOH-ree day FYOH-ree
'dei' is 'di' + 'i'. Used with masculine plural nouns.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To show possession in Italian, use the preposition 'di' followed by the possessor. The possessed noun usually takes a definite article. For example: 'La borsa di Maria' (Maria's bag). When 'di' is followed by a definite article, they combine into one word: di + il = del, di + la = della, di + i = dei, di + le = delle. So 'the end of the film' becomes 'la fine del film'. 'The door of the house' becomes 'la porta della casa'. With proper names, no article is used after 'di': 'il libro di Paolo' (Paolo's book).
When to use it
Use 'di' phrases to express possession or belonging, similar to English 's or 'of'. This is the standard way in Italian; there is no apostrophe s. For example, 'Maria's bag' is 'la borsa di Maria', and 'the end of the film' is 'la fine del film'. You can also use it for relationships: 'la madre di Luca' (Luca's mother). Note that the definite article is almost always required before the possessed noun, even when English would omit it. For instance, 'the color of the sky' is 'il colore del cielo', not 'colore di cielo'.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Di chi è questa borsa?
Whose bag is this?dee kee eh KWEH-stah BOR-sahÈ la borsa di Maria.
It's Maria's bag.eh lah BOR-sah dee mah-REE-ahE quel libro?
And that book?eh kwel LEE-brohÈ il libro di Paolo.
It's Paolo's book.eh eel LEE-broh dee PAH-oh-lohA little context goes a long way
In Italian, possessive 'di' phrases are straightforward, but remember that the definite article is usually required. This differs from English, where we say 'Maria's bag' without an article. Also, in some regions, especially in the south, you might hear 'di' used with possessive adjectives, but standard Italian uses possessive adjectives like 'mio' separately. This lesson focuses on 'di' for noun possession.
One thing to watch for
Omitting the definite article: *Borsa di Maria* instead of *La borsa di Maria*.
Try this instead: In Italian, the definite article is almost always used before the possessed noun. Say 'La borsa di Maria' (Maria's bag). Similarly, 'the end of the film' is 'la fine del film', not 'fine di film'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'the house of the teacher' in Italian?
Show a sample answer
La casa dell'insegnante
'dell'' is the contraction of 'di' + 'la' before a vowel. The definite article is required. Alternative: 'la casa del maestro' if the teacher is male.
2Translate: 'The pages of the book'.
Show a sample answer
Le pagine del libro
'del' is 'di' + 'il'. 'Le pagine' is feminine plural, but the possessed noun 'libro' is masculine singular, so 'del' is used.
3What is wrong with 'libro di Paolo'?
Show a sample answer
It lacks the definite article: 'Il libro di Paolo'.
In Italian, the definite article is needed before the possessed noun. So 'il libro di Paolo' is correct.
To show possession in Italian, use 'di' + possessor, and don't forget the definite article before the possessed noun. Remember contractions like del, della, dei, delle.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Italian into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr