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PhrasesAt the LibrarySto cercando un libro su Dante Alighieri.
A2

Sto cercando un libro su Dante Alighieri.

I'm looking for a book about Dante Alighieri.

Pronunciation

Stress 'Ali-GHIe-ri'. 'Cerco' = CHER-co — I'm looking for.

When to use it

Use this at the information desk when you need help finding a specific book or books on a particular subject. Library staff ('bibliotecari') are happy to assist.

What it means

'Sto cercando' = I'm looking for (present progressive). 'Un libro su' = a book about. You can also use 'un libro di' for books by a specific author: 'un libro di Italo Calvino' (a book by Italo Calvino). 'Dante Alighieri' (1265–1321) is Italy's greatest poet, author of the Divine Comedy.

Variations

Avete libri sull'arte rinascimentale?

Do you have books on Renaissance art?

Topic-based search.

Cerco romanzi di Elsa Morante.

I'm looking for novels by Elsa Morante.

Author-based search.

Esiste un catalogo online?

Is there an online catalogue?

Asking about digital search tools.

Mini Dialogue

— Sto cercando un libro su Dante Alighieri. Da dove inizio? — Abbiamo una sezione dedicata alla letteratura italiana. Al piano di sopra. — C'è qualcosa di specifico che mi consiglia? — Provi 'Dante' di Alessandro Barbero. È accessibile e molto ben scritto.

— I'm looking for a book about Dante Alighieri. Where do I start? — We have a section dedicated to Italian literature. On the floor above. — Is there something specific you'd recommend? — Try 'Dante' by Alessandro Barbero. It's accessible and very well written.

Cultural Note

Dante Alighieri ('il Sommo Poeta' — the Supreme Poet) is one of Italy's most revered cultural figures. The year 2021 marked the 700th anniversary of his death ('settimo centenario dalla morte') and was celebrated with exhibitions, events, and publications across Italy. His Divine Comedy ('La Divina Commedia') is considered the founding text of the Italian language.