Italian Phrase
Installa un sistema di allarme.
Meaning
A direct command telling someone to set up an alarm system. It is often used when discussing home or business security, or when giving technical instructions.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to give a clear, informal instruction to a friend, colleague, or technician. In a formal or polite context you would switch to the formal imperative: ‘Installi un sistema di allarme.’
✦Grammar Breakdown
Installaunsistemadiallarme.
Imperativo (tu)
‘Installa’ is the second‑person singular imperative of the verb ‘installare’, used to give a direct command.
Articolo indeterminativo
‘un’ is the masculine singular indefinite article that matches the noun ‘sistema’.
Sostantivo maschile
‘sistema’ is a masculine singular noun meaning ‘system’; it requires the article ‘un’.
Preposizione ‘di’
‘di’ links two nouns, indicating the type or purpose: ‘sistema di allarme’ = ‘alarm system’.
Sostantivo maschile ‘allarme’
‘allarme’ is also masculine singular; it does not change the article of ‘sistema’.
🗨In Conversation
Il nostro negozio è stato svaligiato la scorsa notte.
Our shop was robbed last night.
Allora, installa un sistema di allarme subito.
Then, install an alarm system right away.
✕Common Mistakes
Installa una sistema di allarme.
‘sistema’ is masculine, so the correct article is ‘un’, not ‘una’.
Installare un sistema di allarme.
In the imperative you drop the ‘-are’ ending; using the infinitive is incorrect.
Installa un sistema di un allarme.
Do not add an extra article before ‘allarme’; it is already part of the noun phrase.
↔Alternatives
Metti in funzione un sistema di allarme.
Put an alarm system into operation.
Fai installare un sistema di allarme.
Have an alarm system installed.
Installa un impianto di allarme.
Install an alarm installation.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, installing alarm systems is common for both homes and businesses, especially in larger cities. When speaking to a professional or a stranger, use the formal imperative ‘Installi…’ to show respect. Regional dialects may replace ‘allarme’ with ‘allarm’ in the north, but the standard phrase remains widely understood.