Italian Phrase
È una valigia nera con una tracolla rossa.
Meaning
This phrase identifies a specific object using the verb 'essere' (to be) and provides a detailed description using colors and a specific feature. It highlights the standard Italian sentence structure where adjectives typically follow the nouns they modify.
When to use
This sentence is ideal for travel situations, such as describing lost luggage at an airport or helping someone identify your bag in a crowd. It is also useful for practicing basic descriptive vocabulary.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Èunavaligianeraconunatracollarossa
È (Essere)
The third-person singular of 'essere' is used to define or describe the subject.
Adjective Placement
Colors like 'nera' (black) and 'rossa' (red) are placed after the nouns 'valigia' and 'tracolla'.
Gender Agreement
The adjectives end in '-a' to agree with the feminine gender of the nouns they describe.
🗨In Conversation
Scusi, può descrivere la sua borsa?
Excuse me, can you describe your bag?
È una valigia nera con una tracolla rossa.
It is a black suitcase with a red shoulder strap.
✕Common Mistakes
È una nera valigia con una rossa tracolla.
In Italian, adjectives denoting color almost always follow the noun.
È un valigia nera con un tracolla rossa.
'Valigia' and 'tracolla' are feminine nouns, so they require the feminine indefinite article 'una'.
↔Alternatives
Ho una valigia nera con la tracolla rossa.
I have a black suitcase with the red shoulder strap.
La mia valigia è nera e ha una tracolla rossa.
My suitcase is black and has a red shoulder strap.
Cultural Tip
When reporting lost items in Italy, be as specific as possible. Using terms like 'tracolla' (shoulder strap) versus 'manico' (handle) helps officials identify your items more quickly in an 'ufficio oggetti smarriti' (lost and found office).