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preposition

a

/ˈaː/

to / at (preposition of place, time, or direction)

Definitions

  1. 1

    to (indicating direction or destination)

    “Domani vado a Roma per lavoro con alcuni colleghi.”

    Tomorrow I'm going to Rome for work with some colleagues.

  2. 2

    at (indicating location or time)

    “Ci vediamo a casa mia verso le otto stasera.”

    We'll see each other at my house around eight tonight.

  3. 3

    to (introducing an indirect object)

    “Ho dato il libro a mia sorella prima di partire.”

    I gave the book to my sister before leaving.

  4. 4

    used before an infinitive after certain verbs (to)

    “Ho imparato a nuotare quando ero molto piccolo.”

    I learned to swim when I was very young.

Word forms

Usage
Before a vowel it can become 'ad' in more formal or literary style (e.g. 'ad esempio'), though this is optional.

One of the most common Italian prepositions; its exact English equivalent depends heavily on context and the verb it follows.