Italian 104 · Lesson 37
Recent Experiences
Ask what someone has tried and share a travel or food experience.
Begin ↓01 / 08
Have you ever?
Hai mai provato il risotto?
Have you ever tried risotto?
Mai in a question means ever. It fits between the helper and participle in this common pattern.
02 / 08
Places you have been
Sono stato a Napoli. / Sono stata a Napoli.
I’ve been to Naples. (man / woman)
Essere stato means to have been. Stato changes to stata, stati or state to match the subject.
03 / 08
Something you tried
Ho provato la cucina siciliana.
I’ve tried Sicilian food.
Provare takes avere here. It can mean try a food or experience, not just try on clothes.
04 / 08
Places you visited
Ho visitato Roma.
I’ve visited Rome.
Sono stata a Roma.
I’ve been to Rome. (woman)
Visitare takes avere and a direct object: visitato Roma, without a. Compare stato a Roma.
05 / 08
Never
Non sono mai stato in Sicilia.
I’ve never been to Sicily. (man)
Non ho mai provato questo piatto.
I’ve never tried this dish.
Non before the helper and mai after it express never. With stato, remember agreement.
06 / 08
Already and not yet
Hai già mangiato?
ai jah man-JAH-toh
Have you eaten already?
Non ho ancora mangiato.
I haven’t eaten yet.
Già means already; non… ancora means not yet. Both are useful follow-ups about a recent visit.
07 / 08
Keep the conversation moving
Sei mai stata a Bologna? — Sì, ci sono stata a giugno.
Have you ever been to Bologna? — Yes, I was there in June. (to / from a woman)
Ho mangiato molto bene.
I ate very well.
After a yes/no answer, add one concrete detail. A time or opinion gives the other person something to respond to.
Remember this
Takeaway
Hai mai provato questo ristorante? — Sì, ho mangiato qui ieri.
Have you ever tried this restaurant? — Yes, I ate here yesterday.
Ask with hai mai or sei mai, using the helper the verb needs. Answer with an experience and a small detail.