SpeeekDownload on the App Store
Back to Daily Routine

Italian Phrase

Ho matematica e scienze.

/o ma.te.maˈti.ka e ˈʃɛn.t͡se/
Meaning"I have mathematics and science."
💡

Meaning

The sentence states the subjects the speaker is taking at school: mathematics and science. It uses the verb ‘avere’ to indicate which courses are part of the speaker’s curriculum.

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase when a teacher, classmate, or friend asks about the subjects you are studying, when you’re filling out a school schedule, or when you’re introducing yourself in an academic context.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Homatematicaescienze

1

Avere (Ho)

‘Ho’ is the first‑person singular present of the verb ‘avere’ (to have) and is used to express possession or, in school contexts, the subjects you are enrolled in.

2

Matematica

A feminine singular noun meaning ‘mathematics’; when used as a school subject it does not take an article.

3

E (conjunction)

The coordinating conjunction ‘e’ means ‘and’ and links two nouns of the same grammatical gender or function.

4

Scienze

A feminine plural noun meaning ‘science(s)’. In Italian schools it usually refers to ‘scienze naturali’ (natural sciences).

🗨In Conversation

A

Che materie hai questo semestre?

Which subjects do you have this semester?

Ho matematica e scienze.

I have mathematics and science.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Sono matematica e scienze.

    ‘Sono’ means ‘I am’; you need ‘ho’ (have) to talk about the subjects you are taking.

  • Ho la matematica e le scienze.

    School subjects are normally mentioned without the definite article.

  • Faccio matematica e scienze.

    ‘Faccio’ (I do) can be understood, but it sounds colloquial; ‘ho’ is the standard way to list subjects.

↔Alternatives

  • Studio matematica e scienze.

    I study mathematics and science.

  • Seguo lezioni di matematica e scienze.

    I attend classes in mathematics and science.

  • Mi occupo di matematica e scienze.

    I am dealing with mathematics and science.

it

Cultural Tip

In Italian schools, subjects are often listed without an article (e.g., ‘ho matematica’ not ‘ho la matematica’). ‘Scienze’ usually refers to natural sciences, while a more specific science like physics would be ‘fisica’. Also, native speakers tend to use ‘avere’ for school subjects, whereas ‘fare’ (e.g., ‘faccio matematica’) is less common and can sound informal.