Discorso Indiretto, or indirect speech, is an integral part of Italian grammar. It refers to the act of reporting what someone else has said without directly quoting them. Instead, the speaker’s words are ‘reported’ or ‘indirected’ through the use of different verb tenses and pronouns. It is crucial for conveying information in a more nuanced and sophisticated manner.
Exercise 1: Converting from direct to indirect speech
1. Lei dice: “Ho fame.” (She says: “I’m hungry.”) –> Lei dice *che ha* fame. (She says that she’s hungry.) (that)
2. Lui dice: “Sono stanco.” (He says: “I’m tired.”) –> Lui dice *che è* stanco. (He says that he’s tired.) (is)
3. Maria dice: “Voglio andare al cinema.” –> Maria dice *che vuole* andare al cinema. (Maria says she wants to go to the cinema.) (wants)
4. “Mio fratello è alto”, dice Giulia. –> Giulia dice *che suo fratello è* alto. (Giulia says her brother is tall.) (her brother is)
5. Marco dice: “Mi piace la pizza.” –> Marco dice *che gli piace* la pizza. (Marco says he likes pizza.) (he likes)
6. “Io lavoro molto”, dice Alessandra. –> Alessandra dice *che lavora* molto. (Alessandra says she works a lot.) (works)
7. “Vado a casa”, dice Carlo. –> Carlo dice *che va* a casa. (Carlo says he’s going home.) (is going)
8. “Non ho tempo”, dice la mamma. –> La mamma dice *che non ha* tempo. (Mother says she doesn’t have time.) (doesn’t have)
9. “Faccio sport”, dice il ragazzo. –> Il ragazzo dice *che fa* sport. (The boy says he does sports.) (does)
10. “Abbiamo una riunione”, dicono i colleghi. –> I colleghi dicono *che hanno* una riunione. (The colleagues say they have a meeting.) (have)
2. Lui dice: “Sono stanco.” (He says: “I’m tired.”) –> Lui dice *che è* stanco. (He says that he’s tired.) (is)
3. Maria dice: “Voglio andare al cinema.” –> Maria dice *che vuole* andare al cinema. (Maria says she wants to go to the cinema.) (wants)
4. “Mio fratello è alto”, dice Giulia. –> Giulia dice *che suo fratello è* alto. (Giulia says her brother is tall.) (her brother is)
5. Marco dice: “Mi piace la pizza.” –> Marco dice *che gli piace* la pizza. (Marco says he likes pizza.) (he likes)
6. “Io lavoro molto”, dice Alessandra. –> Alessandra dice *che lavora* molto. (Alessandra says she works a lot.) (works)
7. “Vado a casa”, dice Carlo. –> Carlo dice *che va* a casa. (Carlo says he’s going home.) (is going)
8. “Non ho tempo”, dice la mamma. –> La mamma dice *che non ha* tempo. (Mother says she doesn’t have time.) (doesn’t have)
9. “Faccio sport”, dice il ragazzo. –> Il ragazzo dice *che fa* sport. (The boy says he does sports.) (does)
10. “Abbiamo una riunione”, dicono i colleghi. –> I colleghi dicono *che hanno* una riunione. (The colleagues say they have a meeting.) (have)
Exercise 2: Answers to questions in indirect speech
1. “Dove vai?”, chiede la mamma. Maria dice che *va al* parco. (Where are you going, mom asks. Maria says she’s going to the park.) (is going to)
2. “Che cosa mangi?”, chiede Marco. Luca risponde che *mangia* una pizza. (What are you eating, Marco asks. Luca responds he’s eating a pizza.) (is eating)
3. “Quando torni?”, chiedono i genitori. Il figlio dice che *torna domani*. (When are you returning, the parents ask. The son says he’s returning tomorrow.) (returns tomorrow)
4. “Chi è quella ragazza?”, chiede Paolo. Andrea dice che *è sua cugina*. (Who is that girl, Paolo asks. Andrea says that’s his cousin.) (is his cousin)
5. “Perché sei triste?”, chiede la mamma. Giulia dice che *è perché ha preso una brutta* nota. (Why are you sad, mom asks. Giulia says it’s because she got a bad grade.) (is because she got)
2. “Che cosa mangi?”, chiede Marco. Luca risponde che *mangia* una pizza. (What are you eating, Marco asks. Luca responds he’s eating a pizza.) (is eating)
3. “Quando torni?”, chiedono i genitori. Il figlio dice che *torna domani*. (When are you returning, the parents ask. The son says he’s returning tomorrow.) (returns tomorrow)
4. “Chi è quella ragazza?”, chiede Paolo. Andrea dice che *è sua cugina*. (Who is that girl, Paolo asks. Andrea says that’s his cousin.) (is his cousin)
5. “Perché sei triste?”, chiede la mamma. Giulia dice che *è perché ha preso una brutta* nota. (Why are you sad, mom asks. Giulia says it’s because she got a bad grade.) (is because she got)
