Italian Phrase
L'ingresso della metro è dall'altra parte della strada.
Meaning
This phrase literally translates to 'The entrance of the subway is from the other side of the street.' It's a straightforward way to indicate the location of a subway entrance, specifying that it's across the road from the current position. 'Metro' is a common abbreviation for 'metropolitana' (subway/underground).
When to use
You would typically use this phrase when giving directions to someone looking for a subway station, or when clarifying the location of an entrance that isn't immediately visible. It's useful in urban environments where public transport is common.
✦Grammar Breakdown
L'ingressodella metroèdall'altra partedella strada
L'ingresso
'L'ingresso' means 'the entrance'. The apostrophe indicates a definite article 'la' or 'lo' that has been elided before a vowel, in this case 'lo ingresso' becomes 'l'ingresso'.
della metro
'Della' is an articulated preposition, combining 'di' (of) and 'la' (the). 'Metro' is a common abbreviation for 'metropolitana' (subway), which is a feminine noun.
è
'È' is the third-person singular form of the verb 'essere' (to be). It's used here to indicate a permanent location or state, unlike 'sta' from 'stare' which implies a temporary location.
dall'altra parte
'Dall'altra parte' means 'on the other side'. It's a common idiomatic expression formed by 'da' (from/on) + 'l'altra' (the other) + 'parte' (side).
della strada
Similar to 'della metro', 'della strada' means 'of the street'. 'Strada' is a feminine noun, so 'di' (of) combines with 'la' (the) to form 'della'.
🗨In Conversation
Scusi, sa dov'è l'ingresso della metro?
Excuse me, do you know where the subway entrance is?
Certo, l'ingresso della metro è dall'altra parte della strada.
Of course, the subway entrance is on the other side of the street.
✕Common Mistakes
L'ingresso della metro sta dall'altra parte della strada.
In Italian, 'essere' (è) is used for permanent or inherent locations, while 'stare' (sta) is for temporary states or locations. A subway entrance's location is considered permanent.
L'ingresso della metro è in l'altra parte della strada.
The correct prepositional phrase for 'on the other side' is 'dall'altra parte', which combines 'da' (from/on) + 'la' (the) + 'altra' (other) + 'parte' (side).
L'ingresso di metro è dall'altra parte di strada.
When referring to 'of the subway' or 'of the street', you need the articulated preposition 'della' (di + la) because 'metro' and 'strada' are feminine nouns.
↔Alternatives
La fermata della metro è di fronte.
The subway stop is opposite.
La stazione della metro è qui vicino.
The subway station is nearby.
Devi attraversare la strada per la metro.
You have to cross the street for the subway.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, especially in larger cities like Rome or Milan, 'metro' is the universally understood term for the subway. When asking for directions, Italians are generally very helpful, but it's good to be polite and start with 'Scusi, per favore...' (Excuse me, please...). Public transport is widely used, so knowing how to ask for and understand directions to the metro is very practical.