Italian Phrase
È uno zaino blu con un'etichetta.
Meaning
It means 'It is a blue backpack with a tag.' The sentence describes an object by stating its type, colour, and the fact that it carries a label.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to point out or describe a specific backpack, for example in a classroom, at a luggage check, or while giving directions to someone's belongings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Èunozainobluconun'etichetta
Essere (è)
The verb 'essere' (to be) is used in the third person singular to describe a subject.
Indefinite article (uno)
Use 'uno' before masculine nouns that start with z, s+consonant, gn, ps, x, or y.
Adjective placement
In Italian, most adjectives, including colors, usually follow the noun, but can precede for emphasis.
Preposition 'con'
'Con' means 'with' and links the noun to an additional attribute.
Elision (un')
When the indefinite article 'una' meets a vowel, it contracts to 'un'' (e.g., 'un'etichetta').
🗨In Conversation
Che cosa c'è sullo scaffale?
What is on the shelf?
È uno zaino blu con un'etichetta.
It is a blue backpack with a tag.
✕Common Mistakes
È un zaino blu con un'etichetta.
Use 'uno' before masculine nouns that start with 'z' (e.g., 'uno zaino').
È uno zaino blu con una etichetta.
The noun 'etichetta' is feminine; the correct indefinite article is the elided form 'un'' (short for 'una').
↔Alternatives
C'è uno zaino blu con un'etichetta.
There is a blue backpack with a tag.
È uno zaino di colore blu con un'etichetta.
It is a blue-colored backpack with a tag.
È uno zaino blu, con un'etichetta.
It is a blue backpack, with a tag.
Cultural Tip
In Italian, colour adjectives normally follow the noun (zaino blu), but placing the colour before the noun (blu zaino) can add emphasis or a poetic tone. Also, remember that 'zaino' is masculine and begins with a 'z', so the correct indefinite article is 'uno', not 'un'.