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Italian Phrase

Hai pulito le grondaie prima dell'inverno?

/ai puˈli.to le ɡronˈda.je ˈpri.ma del.liɱˈvɛr.no/
Meaning"Did you clean the gutters before winter?"
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Meaning

This phrase is a direct question asking if the task of cleaning the roof gutters was completed in preparation for the winter season. It utilizes the passato prossimo tense to refer to a completed action that has relevance to the current time. The term 'grondaie' specifically refers to the drainage channels along the edge of a roof.

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When to use

This sentence is typically used in late autumn or early winter during conversations about home maintenance or seasonal preparations. It is a common question between neighbors, family members, or landlords and tenants.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Hai pulitole grondaieprima dell'inverno

1

Passato Prossimo

The combination of 'hai' (have) and 'pulito' (cleaned) creates the past tense for the verb 'pulire'.

2

Articulated Preposition

'Dell'' is a contraction of 'di' (of) and 'lo' (the), used because 'inverno' starts with a vowel.

🗨In Conversation

A

Hai pulito le grondaie prima dell'inverno?

Did you clean the gutters before winter?

Sì, l'ho fatto proprio ieri pomeriggio.

Yes, I did it just yesterday afternoon.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Hai pulire le grondaie prima dell'inverno?

    The past participle 'pulito' must be used with the auxiliary verb 'avere' to form the past tense, not the infinitive.

  • Hai pulito la grondaie prima dell'inverno?

    'Grondaie' is plural, so it requires the plural feminine article 'le' instead of the singular 'la'.

  • Hai pulito le grondaie prima l'inverno?

    The preposition 'di' is required after 'prima' when followed by a noun, which then contracts with the article to become 'dell''.

↔Alternatives

  • Le grondaie sono già pulite?

    Are the gutters already clean?

  • Hai tolto le foglie dalle grondaie?

    Did you take the leaves out of the gutters?

it

Cultural Tip

In many parts of Italy, especially in the north or in rural areas, preparing the home for 'il maltempo' (bad weather) is a serious tradition. Properly functioning 'grondaie' are essential to prevent 'infiltrazioni' (water seepage) into the thick stone or brick walls common in Italian architecture. Mentioning home maintenance is a frequent topic of small talk among Italian homeowners.