Lesson 170: When Accents Make All The Difference

In Italian, there are some words where it is indispensable to use the accent, otherwise, you'll find yourself making some silly errors. :) Below is a list of some common words with and without their accents -- I would recommend studying the list and learning the meanings between the variants in order to avoid making mistakes:

• dà, third personal singular from the verb, dare
  
  Do not confuse the imperative of dare, da', which is an apostrophe and not an accent.
  
  Gianni dà dei soldi a tua sorella.
  Gianni is giving some money to your sister.
  
  da, the preposition
  
  Vado dal medico stamattina.
  I'm going to the doctor's this morning.
  
  
• è, third personal singular of the verb, essere
  
  Oggi è domenica.
  Today is Sunday.
  
  e, the conjunction, and
  
  Vorrei due mele e delle fragole, per favore.
  I would like two apples and some strawberries, please.
  
  
• là, an adverb, meaning there
  
  Il cane è là -- vicino all'albero.
  The dog is over there -- near the tree.
  
  la, the definite article and direct object pronoun, meaning her
  
  La fontana di Trevi si trova a Roma.
  The Trevi Fountain is located in Rome.
  
  La compro per mia madre. (la = la pentola)
  I am buying it for my mother.
  
  
• lì, synonymous with là, also meaning there
  li, direct object pronoun, third person plural, meaning them
  
  Sono appena venuto di lì.
  I just came from there.
  
  Li vedo stasera al cinema.
  I am seeing them tonight at the cinema.
  
  
• né, negative conjunction, meaning neither/nor
  ne, adverb and pronoun with various meanings and uses
  
  La tua situazione è né positiva né negativa.
  Your situation is neither positive nor negative.
  
  Ne ho letto sul giornale. (Ne = il governo; Ho letto del governo sul giornale)
  I read about it in the paper.
  
  
• sé, pronoun
  
  Non ha molta stima di sé.
  She does not have much self-esteem.
  
  se, conjunction, meaning if (used a lot in hypothetical situations)
  
  Se vieni, andiamo! Il film comincia alle 8!
  If you are coming, let's go! The film starts at 8!
  
  
• sì, which means "Yes"
  
  Sì, vado a Roma a giugno.
  Yes, I'm going to Rome in June.
  
  si, reflexive/reciprocal pronoun, also used with the formation of impersonal expressions
  
  Mia figlia si veste ogni mattina adesso. (reflexive)
  My daughter dresses herself every morning now.
  
  Si sono visti ogni mattina alla stazione. (reciprocal)
  They saw each other every morning at the station.
  
  Si vota di solito con il proprio partito. (impersonal)
  One usually votes with one's party.
  
  
• tè, the drink, tea
  
  Preferisci un tè caldo o un tè freddo?
  Do you prefer a hot tea or a cold tea?
  
  te, disjunctive pronoun, also a double object pronoun for the second person, singular
  
  Amo te!
  I love you.
  
  Ho pagato te due settimane fa!
  I paid YOU two weeks ago!
  
  La mia vita è vuota senza di te.
  My life is empty with you.
  
  Te l'ho comprato al negozio. Ti piace?
  I bought it for you at the store. Do you like it?

Can you think of any other words that might create problems, either because of accents or apostrophes? Please leave a comment!