Italian · Upper intermediate (B2) · Chapter 4 of 12
Science and technology
Come funziona?
Explain how something works in Italian: the passive with andare, si with modal verbs, ci si, and words for cause and effect.
In this chapter you'll learn to
- Explain how a machine works
- Say what must be done with va fatto
- Use si with modal verbs and ci si with reflexive verbs
- Link cause and effect with poiché, dato che and di conseguenza
Listen
In Aosta, the technician Enrico Rosset has just installed a heat pump in Signora Lidia Perrin's house. Listen to the whole dialogue first, then line by line.
Enrico
Ecco fatto, signora Perrin: la pompa di calore è installata. Le spiego come funziona?
All done, Mrs Perrin: the heat pump is installed. Shall I explain how it works?
Lidia
Sì, grazie. Non ho mai capito come si possa scaldare una casa con l'aria esterna, soprattutto qui ad Aosta, d'inverno.
Yes, thank you. I've never understood how you can heat a house with the air outside, especially here in Aosta, in winter.
Enrico
È più semplice di quanto sembri. Anche a zero gradi l'aria esterna ha ancora un po' di calore. La macchina lo prende e lo usa per scaldare l'acqua dei termosifoni.
It's simpler than it seems. Even at zero degrees, the air outside still has a little heat. The machine takes it and uses it to heat the water in the radiators.
Lidia
E funziona anche a meno quindici?
And does it work at minus fifteen too?
Enrico
Sì, anche se a causa del freddo consuma di più. Poiché qui gli inverni sono lunghi, abbiamo lasciato anche la vecchia caldaia, che si accende da sola quando fa troppo freddo.
Yes, although it uses more because of the cold. Since the winters here are long, we've also kept the old boiler, which switches on by itself when it gets too cold.
Lidia
E la bolletta? Mia figlia dice che sarà molto più bassa.
And the bill? My daughter says it'll be much lower.
Enrico
Dato che Lei ha già i pannelli solari, di giorno l'energia elettrica Le costa pochissimo. Di conseguenza, la bolletta dovrebbe scendere molto.
Since you already have solar panels, electricity costs you very little during the day. As a result, your bill should go down a lot.
Lidia
Bene. E io cosa devo fare? Va spenta d'estate?
Good. And what do I have to do? Does it have to be switched off in summer?
Enrico
No, non va spenta: d'estate serve per l'acqua calda. La temperatura si può regolare dall'app, oppure qui, da questo schermo.
No, it mustn't be switched off: in summer it heats your hot water. You can set the temperature on the app, or here, on this screen.
Lidia
E va controllata spesso?
And does it need checking often?
Enrico
Una volta all'anno va fatto un controllo, e ogni tre mesi il filtro va pulito. All'inizio sembra complicato, ma ci si abitua subito.
Once a year it needs a service, and every three months the filter needs cleaning. At first it seems complicated, but you get used to it straight away.
Lidia
Speriamo. Comunque, se ho qualche problema, La chiamo.
Let's hope so. Anyway, if I have any problems, I'll call you.
Understand
Va fatto: it must be done
In B1 you learnt the passive with and . + past participle is a passive too, but it adds the idea of necessity: (The filter must be cleaned, needs cleaning). The participle agrees with the subject: , .
With , it means something mustn't be done: (It mustn't be switched off). You'll see this in instructions, recipes and at work: (Pasta should be cooked in salted water). It works only in one-word tenses, most often the present.
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| The filter must be cleaned. | |
| The pump must be checked once a year. | |
| These documents must be signed. | |
| It mustn't be switched off. |
Si with modal verbs, and ci si
Impersonal also works with and . The modal verb agrees with the noun: (The temperature can be set), (The filters must be cleaned). You can also use : .
With a reflexive verb, si si is impossible, so Italian says : (you get used to it), (you have fun), (In the mountains people get up early). After , adjectives are plural: , … (When you're tired, …).
- Da qui si possono vedere le Alpi.You can see the Alps from here.
- All'inizio è difficile, ma ci si abitua.It's hard at first, but you get used to it.
- Alle feste di paese ci si diverte sempre.You always have fun at village festivals.
Cause and effect
To explain why something happens, and aren't the only words. and (since, as) are a little more formal and are common in explanations. (because of) and (thanks to) go before a noun: , .
To give the result, use (as a result) or (that's why). + infinitive means “to make something happen”: (The sun brings the bill down). To compare with a whole sentence, use … ; careful Italian then uses the congiuntivo: (It's simpler than it seems).
| Italian | English | Followed by |
|---|---|---|
| since, as | a verb | |
| because of | a noun | |
| thanks to | a noun | |
| as a result | a sentence | |
| + infinitive | to make something happen |
More in the grammar: The passive and si: è stato fatto, si dice · Connectors: tuttavia, eppure, sebbene, pertanto
New words
- la pompa di caloreheat pump · = heat
- spiegareto explain · = I'll explain to you (Lei)
- scaldareto heat, to warm up
- esternooutside, external · the opposite is
- il termosifoneradiator
- consumareto use (energy), to consume
- la caldaiaboiler
- la bollettabill (for gas, electricity, water, phone)
- il pannello solaresolar panel
- spegnereto switch off, to turn off · irregular participle:
- regolareto set, to adjust
- lo schermoscreen
- pulireto clean · like :
- abituarsi ato get used to · = you get used to it
Practise
1.What does mean?
2.Complete with + the participle of .
The heat pump must be checked once a year.
3.Complete with the impersonal form of .
It's hard at first, but you get used to it straight away.
4.Put the words in order.
Tap the words below in the right order.You can set the temperature on the app.
5.Choose the right word: “___ freddo, la pompa consuma di più.”
6.Match the Italian with the English.
Pick a word on the left, then its meaning on the right.
0 of 6 exercises done.
Say it out loud
Mi spiega come funziona?
Can you explain how it works? (Lei)
Listen, then say it out loud, as close to the recording as you can.
Check
Five questions on this chapter. Then mark it as finished to add its words to your review deck.
0 of 5 answered.