Italian Phrase
Attraversa la strada all'angolo.
Meaning
This sentence is a direct command telling someone to cross the street at the corner. It is concise and typical of everyday spoken Italian when giving quick directions.
When to use
Use it when you need to guide a pedestrian, for example while giving directions on a busy street, in a traffic‑safety lesson, or when a friend asks how to get across a road.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Attraversalastradaall'angolo.
Imperative (2nd person singular)
The verb 'attraversare' drops the infinitive ending -are and adds -a for the informal command: 'attraversa' means 'cross!' directed to 'tu'.
Definite article with noun
'la' is the feminine singular article that matches 'strada' (street).
Preposition + article contraction
The preposition 'a' + the masculine singular article 'il' contracts to 'al'. When followed by a vowel, the article elides to 'l'', giving 'all'' (a + l').
Elision before a vowel
Because 'angolo' starts with a vowel, the article 'il' becomes 'l'' and merges with the preposition, forming 'all'angolo'.
🗨In Conversation
Attraversa la strada all'angolo.
Cross the street at the corner.
Grazie, lo farò subito.
Thanks, I’ll do it right away.
✕Common Mistakes
Attraversi la strada all'angolo.
‘Attraversi’ is the present subjunctive/second‑person singular form, not the command.
Attraversa la strada alla angolo.
‘Alla’ is the contraction of a + la (feminine). The noun ‘angolo’ is masculine, so it must be ‘all’’.
Attraversa le strade all'angolo.
‘Strade’ is plural; the sentence refers to a single street.
↔Alternatives
Passa dall'altra parte della strada all'angolo.
Go to the other side of the street at the corner.
Vai a attraversare la strada all'angolo.
Go cross the street at the corner.
Attraversa l'angolo e poi la strada.
Cross the corner and then the street.
Cultural Tip
In Italy pedestrians usually wait for the green ‘pedestrian’ light before crossing, even at corners. Using the imperative is informal; with strangers or in a more polite context you could say 'Per favore, attraversi la strada all'angolo' (using the formal 'Lei' form). Also, many Italian towns have a small raised curb at corners called a 'marciapiede' that signals a safe crossing point.