Signification
The act of composing a written message.
Contexte culturel
The 'Lettera Raccomandata' is a cultural icon of Italian bureaucracy. It is a registered letter with proof of delivery, used for all official business. Ugo Foscolo's 'Ultime lettere di Jacopo Ortis' is a famous epistolary novel that defined Italian Romanticism. Children in Italy write letters to 'La Befana' or 'Babbo Natale' in December to ask for gifts. While digital, the 'PEC' (Posta Elettronica Certificata) is the modern legal equivalent of 'scrivere una lettera raccomandata'.
Use 'Ti scrivo'
In casual conversation, you can just say 'Ti scrivo' (I'll write to you) without saying 'una lettera'.
Double T
Make sure to pronounce the double 't' in 'lettera' or it might sound like 'letera' (not a word).
Signification
The act of composing a written message.
Use 'Ti scrivo'
In casual conversation, you can just say 'Ti scrivo' (I'll write to you) without saying 'una lettera'.
Double T
Make sure to pronounce the double 't' in 'lettera' or it might sound like 'letera' (not a word).
Formal Openings
When writing a formal letter, start with 'Gentile' + Title + Surname.
The Red Mailbox
Look for the red 'Poste Italiane' boxes on street corners to mail your 'lettera'.
Teste-toi
Conjugate the verb 'scrivere' in the present tense.
Io _______ una lettera a mio fratello.
The first person singular of 'scrivere' is 'scrivo'.
Choose the correct past participle.
Ho _______ una lettera ieri sera.
'Scritto' is the irregular past participle of 'scrivere'.
Match the type of letter to the situation.
You are quitting your job. What do you write?
'Dimissioni' means resignation.
Complete the dialogue with the correct preposition.
A: A chi scrivi? B: Scrivo una lettera ___ Maria.
We use 'a' to indicate the recipient of the letter.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Types of Letters
Personal
- • Lettera d'amore
- • Lettera di ringraziamento
Formal
- • Lettera di dimissioni
- • Lettera di presentazione
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIo _______ una lettera a mio fratello.
The first person singular of 'scrivere' is 'scrivo'.
Ho _______ una lettera ieri sera.
'Scritto' is the irregular past participle of 'scrivere'.
You are quitting your job. What do you write?
'Dimissioni' means resignation.
A: A chi scrivi? B: Scrivo una lettera ___ Maria.
We use 'a' to indicate the recipient of the letter.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but 'scrivere un'email' is more precise. Use 'lettera' for very formal or long emails.
Only in the past participle (scritto) and the remote past (scrissi). The present tense is regular.
An 'open letter' intended to be read by the public, usually published in a newspaper.
You say 'firmare una lettera'.
No, it is very formal and literary. Stick to 'lettera' for daily use.
It's a shipping document or waybill, used in logistics.
Yes, 'A' is a 'lettera'. But 'scrivere una lettera' usually means the whole message.
Use 'Cordiali saluti' or 'Distinti saluti'.
It's an idiom meaning something that is ignored or no longer valid (a dead letter).
Mostly for formal/legal reasons or very special personal occasions.
Expressions liées
scrivere a mano
specialized formTo write by hand
mandare un'email
similarTo send an email
fare un biglietto
similarTo write a short note/card
ricevere una lettera
contrastTo receive a letter
