Italian Phrase
Sto a casa di amici.
Meaning
I am at a friend's house. The sentence uses *stare* to indicate a temporary location and the construction *a casa di* to specify whose house it is.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to tell someone where you are right now, especially in informal conversation with friends or family.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Stoacasadiamici
Stare (present 1st pers.)
The verb *stare* is used to express a temporary location, similar to English 'to be' when talking about where you are.
Preposition a
The preposition *a* introduces the place where someone is; with *casa* the article is omitted (e.g., *a casa di…*).
casa (house)
*casa* can be used without an article when it follows *a* to indicate a location.
di (of)
*di* links the noun *casa* to the owners, showing possession.
amici (friends)
*amici* is the plural of *amico*; the phrase refers to the house of multiple friends.
🗨In Conversation
Dove sei?
Where are you?
Sto a casa di amici.
I'm at a friend's house.
✕Common Mistakes
Sono a casa di amici.
Using *sono* sounds less natural for a temporary location; *stare* is preferred.
Sto in casa di amici.
The preposition *in* is not used with *casa* for this meaning; use *a*.
Sto a casa degli amici.
The article *degli* is unnecessary; the idiomatic form is *a casa di amici*.
↔Alternatives
Sono a casa di un amico.
I am at a friend's house (singular).
Sono da amici.
I'm at friends' place.
Mi trovo a casa di amici.
I find myself at a friend's house.
Cultural Tip
In Italian you normally drop the article before *casa* when you talk about being at someone's home (e.g., *a casa di Maria*). For temporary locations Italians prefer *stare* over *essere*. In spoken language you’ll also hear *sono da amici* which conveys the same idea in a more colloquial way.