Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Learn how to use 'andare a' plus the infinitive verb in Italian to express intentions and future actions. This A1 level lesson explains the conjugation of 'andare' with pronouns and how to form phrases like 'Vado a studiare' or 'Andiamo a comprare il cibo'. Understand the structure, get daily life examples, and see the difference from English 'going to' expressions to build your beginner Italian skills.
PronomeFormulaEsempio
IoVado + a + infinitoVado a studiare ora. (I am going to study now.)
TuVai + a + infinitoVai a correre questo pomeriggio. (You are going to run this afternoon.)
Lui/LeiVa + a + infinitoVa a fare una passeggiata. (He/She goes to take a walk.)
NoiAndiamo + a + infinitoAndiamo a comprare il cibo. (Let's go to buy food.)
VoiAndate + a + infinitoAndate a giocare in giardino. (Go to play in the garden.)
LoroVanno + a + infinitoVanno a pulire la stanza. (They go to clean the room.)

Exercise 1: 'Andare a' + infinito

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

vado, vanno, va, vai, andare, andiamo

1.
Io ... a studiare ogni giorno.
(I go to study every day.)
2.
Il mio amico ... a scuola con il suo cane.
(My friend goes to school with his dog.)
3.
Lei ... a comprare il cibo per il suo animale.
(She is going to buy food for her pet.)
4.
Tu ... a fare una passeggiata al mattino.
(You are going to take a walk in the morning.)
5.
Noi ... a correre nel parco.
(We are going to run in the park.)
6.
Loro ... a pulire la casa insieme.
(They are going to clean the house together.)
7.
Mi piace ... a fare una passeggiata con il cane.
(I like to go for a walk with the dog.)
8.
Loro ... a giocare con il cane.
(They are going to play with the dog.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Io vado ____ portare il cane a fare una passeggiata.

(I am going ____ take the dog for a walk.)

2. Tu vai ____ dare da mangiare al gatto adesso.

(You are going ____ feed the cat now.)

3. Lui va ____ comprare il cibo per il pesce.

(He is going ____ buy food for the fish.)

4. Noi andiamo ____ pulire la gabbia del criceto.

(We are going ____ clean the hamster's cage.)

5. Voi andate ____ giocare con il vostro cane nel parco.

(You all go ____ play with your dog in the park.)

6. Loro vanno ____ dare l'acqua alle piante e agli animali.

(They go ____ give water to the plants and animals.)

Understanding 'Andare a' + Infinitive in Italian

This lesson focuses on the Italian verb construction 'andare a' followed by an infinitive verb form. It expresses intentions or future actions, similar to the English 'going to' do something. This is a fundamental structure useful for beginners at level A1 to communicate plans, intentions, or imminent activities effectively.

Verb Conjugation and Usage

The phrase combines the present tense of the verb andare (to go) conjugated according to the subject pronoun, followed by the preposition a and an infinitive verb.

  • Io: Vado a + infinitive (e.g., Vado a studiare ora.)
  • Tu: Vai a + infinitive (e.g., Vai a correre questo pomeriggio.)
  • Lui/Lei: Va a + infinitive (e.g., Va a fare una passeggiata.)
  • Noi: Andiamo a + infinitive (e.g., Andiamo a comprare il cibo.)
  • Voi: Andate a + infinitive (e.g., Andate a giocare in giardino.)
  • Loro: Vanno a + infinitive (e.g., Vanno a pulire la stanza.)

Examples To Practice

Examples from daily life help you internalize this structure. For instance, sentences like "Io vado a portare il cane a fare una passeggiata" or "Tu vai a dare da mangiare al gatto adesso" illustrate practical usage.

Differences Between Instruction in English and Italian Usage

In English, the phrase 'going to' is used with the verb 'to be' plus an infinitive verb to indicate a near future action (e.g., 'I am going to study'). In Italian, this is simplified to the verb 'andare' conjugated in the present tense + 'a' + infinitive, without an auxiliary verb. The preposition a is necessary, and must always be included.

Useful phrases include:

  • Vado a studiare – I am going to study
  • Andiamo a mangiare – We are going to eat
  • Vai a lavorare – You are going to work
Remember, this construction helps express planned or intended actions and is an essential part of beginner Italian conversation.

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Fabio Pirioni

Bachelor in Humanities

University of Udine

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Last Updated:

Monday, 14/07/2025 18:39