To start, to continue, to finish: Italian grammar lesson 144

Summary

Dive into the Italian language and master the art of beginning and ending! Learn the nuances of “iniziare,” “cominciare,” “continuare,” and “finire,” and when to use “essere” or “avere” with these verbs. This guide is your key to speaking Italian like a native!

  • Iniziare and cominciare are your go-to Italian verbs for “to start” or “to begin.” They’re totally swappable, so don’t sweat the small stuff! 😉
  • Wanna kick off something in Italian? Pair iniziare or cominciare with a plus an infinitive verb. It’s like saying “start to…” in English. Easy peasy!
  • Got a noun you want to start on? Chuck the preposition and go straight for it with iniziare or cominciare. “Ho iniziato il corso” means “I started the course” – no “a” needed!
  • Keep the Italian convo flowing with continuare. It’s like “continuare a” plus an infinitive for actions, or just “continuare” plus a noun. Keep it simple, keep it smooth.
  • Wrapping things up? Finire is your verb. Hook it up with di and an infinitive to say you’ve finished doing something. “Hai finito di mangiare?” – “All done eating?”
  • When it’s decision time for “essere” or “avere” with these verbs, context is king. Use avere when you’ve got a preposition or direct object tagging along.
  • No preposition or direct object? That’s your cue to bring in essere. It’s like choosing between “is” and “has” in English – context matters!

Remember, speaking Italian is like making a pizza – the right ingredients make all the difference. So sprinkle these verbs into your conversations and watch your Italian skills bake to perfection! 🍕🇮🇹

My thoughts

What do iniziare and cominciare mean in Italian?

To say to start or to begin in Italian, we can use two verbs: iniziare and cominciare. These two verbs are interchangeable and can be used in all kinds of contexts.

They can both be used with:

  1. A verb in the infinitive form, using the preposition a.
  2. A direct object noun without the use of a preposition.

Have a look at the examples below:

Iniziare o cominciare a + infinitive verb

Ho iniziato a leggere un libro in Italiano.

I started reading a book in Italian.

Ho cominciato a fare yoga tutte le mattine.

I started doing yoga every morning.

Iniziare  cominciare + noun

Ieri ho iniziato il corso.

I started the course yesterday.

Hai già cominciato la scuola?

Have you started school yet?

continue italian

How to use continuare?

The verb continuare, to continue or keep doing, behaves very similarly to the two verbs we’ve just learned.

It can be used with the preposition a and a verb in the infinitive, or just followed by a direct object.

Continuare a + infinitive verb

Continua a leggere, mi piace la tua voce.

Continue reading, I like your voice.

Continuo ad inciampare mentre cammino.

I keep tripping over while walking.

Continuare + noun

Ha deciso di non continuare gli studi.

She decided not to continue with her studies.

Continuerò il viaggio senza di te.

I will continue the trip without you.

finish italian

How to use finire?

In Italian, to say to finish we use the word finire. This verb, however, takes the preposition di followed by the infinitive form of a verb.

Hai finito di lavare i piatti?

Have you finished washing up the dishes?

Abbiamo appena finito di studiare, usciamo?

We just finished studying, shall we go out?

As with all the other verbs we’ve seen, it can also be used with a direct object noun:

Ho già finito il libro!

I have already finished the book.

Tu hai finito l’università?

Have you finished university?

to start doing something italian

Iniziare and finire: essere or avere?

Free Guide
How to Learn Languages Fast

The Italian verbs iniziare, cominciare and finire can use both the verb essere (to be) and avere (to have) as an auxiliary or helping verb.

As we’ve seen in the examples above, we use avere with the prepositions a and di and when there is a direct object.

Ho iniziato a fare yoga.

I started doing yoga.

Hai cominciato il libro?

Have you started the book?

Hanno finito di mangiare.

They finished eating.

Avete finito la scuola?

Have you finished school?

On the other hand, we will have to use essere when there is no preposition or direct object. In this case, the verbs are intransitive.

Have a look at the examples:

Le vacanze sono cominciate la settimana scorsa.

Holidays started last week.

Veloce, il film è già iniziato.

Hurry up, the film has already started.

La scuola è finita ieri!

School finished yesterday!

How to use "iniziare", "cominciare", and "continuare"?

There are two ways: with a verb in the infinitive form + the preposition a; and with a direct object noun without any prepositions.

How to use "finire"?

This verb takes the preposition di followed by the infinitive form of a verb and it can also be used with a direct object noun.

"Essere" or "avere"?

"Iniziare", "cominciare" and "finire" can use both the verb essere (to be) and avere (to have) as auxiliaries. Avere + prepositions a or di when there is a direct object. Essere when there is no preposition or direct object. In this case, the verbs are intransitive.

Follow me to fluency​

Create a free lifetime account to get access to all the free courses and other resources.

Leave a Reply

Take a free lesson today!

Create a free lifetime account to get access to all the free lessons and other resources.

I’ll also deliver my free resources my best offers to your mailbox (opt out at any time).

How to say “or” in Italian? Learn the grammar with simple rules and examples and practice with audio lessons.
How to use adverbs of place in Italian? Learn the grammar with simple rules and examples and practice with audio lessons.
How to use speravo che in Italian? Learn the grammar with simple rules and examples and practice with audio lessons.
How to use place prepositions “in” and “a” in Italian? A grammar lesson with simple rules, sentences, examples, and exercises.
Try my courses for free​
Stefano

Log in

Reset password or get in touch.

Not a member yet? Join today!

How long to fluency?

Find out how long it will take you to master Italian!
Get on the right track in 3 minutes.

dolce vita logo

We're already friends!

Coming from Luca and Marina?
Here's a special deal for you!
Just tell me where I should send the coupon.

50% OFF
all language resources

We're already friends!

Coming from All Language Resources?
Here's a special deal for you!
Just tell me where I should send the coupon.

50% OFF
GRAB A COUPON NOW, REDEEM IT LATER
50% OFF

To receive free resources once a week together with my best offers, just tell me where to send everything. Opt out at any time.

Create a free lifetime account to get access to all the free lesson and other resources.