Expert: Lauren O' Hagan - 1/16/2009

Question
Buon giorno!

So I'm learning italian through Rosetta Stone...awesome program but of course I just want to make sure I'm understanding the words right. They introduced the word "gira" and "giri" I know they both me to turn but is "giri" means "turning" and gira "to turn". Ex. Il tassi gira a destra, Giri a sinistra?

Also I'm trying to write a letter to someone and what is the write word to use to say "I'm going to visit Rome"? Vado a Roma, Vado visitare a Roma, Io visite Roma in Agosta per due settimana?

Grazie!


Answer
Hi Cindy,

Although gira and giri both mean to turn, there is a small difference between the two.

Gira is turn when it is used as a noun and it also the third person so when you are referring to something or somebody turning.

Giri isnt actually turning but infact another way of saying turn but when it is in its subjunctive form.

Turning would be girando

Also, I am going to Rome would be translated as Vado visitare a Roma. Vado a Roma is also fine which is I am going to Rome however the last attempt that you showed me would make sense only if the ´visit´ bit was visiteró as this is the future tense for I of visitare

Hope this helps,
Regards,
Lauren