Italian Phrase
L'estate scorsa siamo andati in campeggio.
Meaning
The sentence tells the listener that last summer the speaker and their group went on a camping trip. It places the action in a specific past summer and uses the passato prossimo to describe a completed activity.
When to use
Use this phrase when recounting a vacation or outdoor activity that happened during the previous summer, especially in casual conversation with friends or family.
✦Grammar Breakdown
L'estatescorsasiamoandatiincampeggio
Definite article + vowel
When a feminine noun begins with a vowel, the article "la" contracts to "l'" (e.g., l'estate).
Adjective after noun
In Italian, adjectives that describe a specific time (like "scorsa") usually follow the noun: l'estate scorsa.
Passato prossimo with essere
The verb "andare" forms the passato prossimo with the auxiliary "essere"; the past participle must agree in gender and number with the subject (siamo andati).
Prepositional phrase "in campeggio"
"In" is used to indicate the activity or place where the action happened; "campeggio" means "camping".
🗨In Conversation
Cosa avete fatto l'estate scorsa?
What did you do last summer?
L'estate scorsa siamo andati in campeggio.
Last summer we went camping.
✕Common Mistakes
L'estate scorsa è andato in campeggio.
The verb "andare" uses "essere" as auxiliary; with a plural subject you need "siamo andati".
L'estate scorso siamo andati in campeggio.
The adjective must agree with the feminine noun "estate"; use "scorsa" not "scorso".
L'estate scorsa siamo andati in campeggi.
When referring to the activity, use the singular "campeggio"; "campeggi" would mean multiple campsites.
↔Alternatives
L'estate passata siamo andati in campeggio.
Last summer we went camping.
L'estate scorsa abbiamo fatto campeggio.
Last summer we did camping.
L'estate scorsa siamo andati a fare campeggio.
Last summer we went to camp.
Cultural Tip
Camping is a popular way to enjoy Italy's diverse landscapes, from the Alpine valleys in the north to the coastal dunes of Sardinia. In many regions families rent "campeggi" (campsites) that offer basic amenities, local food, and easy access to hiking trails. Remember that in Italian you often specify the region or the type of site (e.g., "campeggio in montagna" or "campeggio al lago") to give more context.