Meaning
Choosing a direction or path.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'la strada' is central to Italian cinema, most notably in Fellini's masterpiece 'La Strada', which uses the road as a metaphor for the journey of the soul. All roads lead to Rome ('Tutte le strade portano a Roma'). This historical reality shaped the Italian language's obsession with roads as symbols of destiny. In some southern regions, 'prendere la strada' can specifically refer to emigrating or leaving one's hometown to find work elsewhere. The 'strada' is often contrasted with the 'piazza'. While the piazza is for standing and talking, the strada is for movement and choosing where to go next.
Use with 'Giusta' or 'Sbagliata'
The most common way to use this is with 'giusta' (right) or 'sbagliata' (wrong). It's a quick way to express success or regret.
Irregular Past Participle
Remember: 'Ho preso', NOT 'Ho prenduto'. This is a very common mistake for beginners.
Meaning
Choosing a direction or path.
Use with 'Giusta' or 'Sbagliata'
The most common way to use this is with 'giusta' (right) or 'sbagliata' (wrong). It's a quick way to express success or regret.
Irregular Past Participle
Remember: 'Ho preso', NOT 'Ho prenduto'. This is a very common mistake for beginners.
Business Context
In a job interview, use 'Ho preso la strada di...' to describe your career trajectory. It sounds professional and decisive.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'prendere' in the passato prossimo.
Ieri noi ________ la strada sbagliata per il ristorante.
The verb 'prendere' uses 'avere' and has an irregular past participle 'preso'.
Which sentence uses the phrase figuratively?
Choose the correct option:
This sentence refers to a career choice, which is a figurative use of the phrase.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural phrase.
A: Non so cosa fare dopo il liceo. B: Non preoccuparti, hai tempo per ________.
'Prendere una strada' is the standard collocation for choosing a life path.
Match the phrase variation to the situation.
1. Imboccare l'autostrada, 2. Prendere una brutta strada, 3. Cambiare strada
'Imboccare' is for driving, 'brutta strada' is for trouble, and 'cambiare strada' is for changing plans.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Prendere vs. Fare Strada
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIeri noi ________ la strada sbagliata per il ristorante.
The verb 'prendere' uses 'avere' and has an irregular past participle 'preso'.
Choose the correct option:
This sentence refers to a career choice, which is a figurative use of the phrase.
A: Non so cosa fare dopo il liceo. B: Non preoccuparti, hai tempo per ________.
'Prendere una strada' is the standard collocation for choosing a life path.
1. Imboccare l'autostrada, 2. Prendere una brutta strada, 3. Cambiare strada
'Imboccare' is for driving, 'brutta strada' is for trouble, and 'cambiare strada' is for changing plans.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsUsually no. It's reserved for directions or significant life choices. For small things, use 'scegliere' (to choose).
Yes, but 'via' is slightly more formal or literary. In everyday speech, 'strada' is much more common.
You say 'Ho preso la strada sbagliata'. Remember to use 'avere' as the auxiliary verb.
No, for buses or trains you say 'prendere l'autobus' or 'prendere il treno'. 'Prendere una strada' is for the route itself.
It means to start hanging out with the wrong crowd or developing bad habits (like drugs or crime).
It's neutral. You can use it with your friends or in a newspaper article.
Yes, you need 'una' or 'la'. You cannot just say 'prendere strada'.
Yes! It means 'to head home' or 'to start the journey home'.
'Imboccare' is more specific to the moment you enter a road, while 'prendere' is more general.
Yes, 'prendere la strada della ricerca' is a common way to describe a scientific approach.
Related Phrases
fare strada
similarTo make progress or be successful.
mettersi sulla buona strada
builds onTo get on the right track.
essere fuori strada
contrastTo be completely wrong or mistaken.
tagliare la strada
specialized formTo cut someone off (in traffic or in life).
