Complementi di luogo

The primary difference is between position ("stato in luogo") and motion ("moto a/da/per luogo").

Being/staying in/at a place or "stato in luogo"

It. uses the prep. "a" for:

• places considered for their function: "a casa, a scuola, all'ufficio, al lavoro, alla stazione, all'ospedale"... ( "at home, at school, at the office, at the workplace, at the station, in hospital...)

• cities, towns and villages: "Abito a Milano, una vive a Pavia e un'altra abita a Tricerro." ( I live in Milan, a daughter lives in Pavia and another one lives at Tricerro); "il Papa è a Roma" ( The Pope is in Rome).

  It. uses the prep. "in" for:

• countries and regions: "Milano e Pavia sono in Lombardia, Tricerro è in Piemonte" ( Milan and Pavia are in Lombardy, Tricerro is in Piedmont);

• places considered as buildings or enclosures: "In casa abbiamo due televisori" ( we've got two TV sets at home); "Ci sono dei bellissimi fiori nel giardino" ( There are some beautiful flowers in the garden)

  It. uses the prep. "da":

• with relatives, professional people, shopkeepers, and so on: "Oggi pranzerò da mio fratello" ( I'm having lunch at my brother's today); "La mamma è dalla parrucchiera" ( Mother is at the hairdresser's); "C'era molta gente dal dottore" ( There were a lot of people at the doctor's).

Apart from these general guidelines, there are several cases that need to be learned one by one, for example: "Passare le vacanze al mare / in montagna" ( To spend one's holidays at the seaside / in the mountains).

Moving to a place or "moto a luogo"

It. uses the prep. "a" for:

• places considered for their function: "Andare a casa, a scuola, alla posta, al lavoro, alla stazione, all'ospedale"... ( "Going home, to school, to the post office, to one's workplace, to the station, to hospital...)

• cities, towns and villages: "Sto andando a Milano, poi andrò a Pavia e a Tricerro." ( I'm going to Milan, then I'll go to Pavia and to Tricerro); "Molti pellegrini vann a Roma" ( Lots of pilgrims go to Rome).

  It. uses the prep. "in" for:

• countries and regions: "Mi piacerebbe andare in Cornovaglia" ( I'd like to go to Cornwall); "Quando vieni in Italia la prossima volta?" ( When are you coming to Italy next time?)

• enclosed places or buildings: "Andiamo in piscina!" ( Let's go to the swimming-pool); "Entrò nella scuola." ( He/She/It went into the school )

  It. uses the prep. "da":

  with relatives, professional people, shopkeepers, and so on: "Oggi vado da mio fratello" ( I'm going to my brother's today); "La mamma è andata dalla parrucchiera" ( Mother has gone to the hairdresser's); "Dovresti andare dal dottore" ( You should see a doctor - literally, go to a doctor's).

  Coming from a place or "moto da luogo"

  It. "da" usually corresponds to Eng. "from".

  The main exception is when we talk about a person's country of origin or hometown: "Stephen is from Kenya" "Stephen è del Kenya"; "I'm from Milan" "Sono di Milano."

  "Da... a" are frequently used talking about a journey, a removal and the like: "Dagli Appennini alle Ande" ( From the Apennines to the Andes); "Un volo da Bergamo a Catania" ( A flight from Bergamo to Catania).

  Talking about translations, the prepositions are "da... in": "Una traduzione dall'inglese in italiano" ( A translation from English into Italian).

  Going about or through a place - "moto per/attraverso luogo"

  "Per" is used whenever you don't need to be more specific: "Passeggiare per i boschi" ( Strolling in the woods); "Camminare per la città" ( Walking about town).

  More specific prepositions are "lungo, attraverso"... "Una gita lungo il Po" ( A trip along the river Po); "Sono passato attraverso i campi" ( I have passed across the fields).