The construction da + infinitive is one of the most versatile patterns in Italian syntax, serving three primary functions: introducing consecutive clauses (result), introducing final clauses (purpose), and forming attributive phrases that describe the function or purpose of an object.
1. Da + infinitive to introduce consecutive sentences (result)
In this function, da + infinitive expresses the result or consequence of a quality, action, or situation. It answers the question: Con quale conseguenza? (With what result?).
A. Structure with adjectives: così/tanto/talmente… da
The most common pattern pairs an adjective (modified by così, tanto, talmente) with da + infinitive to indicate that the quality is so intense that it produces a specific result.
| Structure | Meaning | Example |
| così + adjective + da + infinitive | so … that | Era così stanco da addormentarsi subito. (He was so tired that he fell asleep immediately.) |
| tanto + adjective + da + infinitive | so … that | Il libro è tanto noioso da non riuscire a finirlo. (The book is so boring that I can’t finish it.) |
| talmente + adjective + da + infinitive | so … that | Era talmente arrabbiato da non parlare. (He was so angry that he didn’t speak.) |
Examples:
- La musica era così alta da non sentire la voce. (The music was so loud that I couldn’t hear the voice.)
- Il caffè è tanto caldo da bruciarsi la lingua. (The coffee is so hot that you burn your tongue.)
- La situazione è talmente grave da richiedere un intervento immediato. (The situation is so serious that it requires immediate intervention.)
B. Structure with adverbs: così/tanto… da
Adverbs can also be modified to express result.
- Parlava così velocemente da non capire niente. (He spoke so quickly that I understood nothing.)
- Ha guidato tanto piano da farci arrivare in ritardo. (He drove so slowly that we arrived late.)
C. Structure with troppo… da (too… to)
When the first element is troppo (too), the construction expresses that the quality exceeds a limit, making the result impossible or undesirable.
| Structure | Meaning | Example |
| troppo + adjective + da + infinitive | too … to | È troppo giovane da capire. (He is too young to understand.) |
| troppo + adverb + da + infinitive | too … to | Correva troppo velocemente da essere ripreso. (He ran too fast to be caught.) |
Examples:
- Questo problema è troppo complesso da risolvere in poco tempo. (This problem is too complex to solve in a short time.)
- Era troppo tardi da tornare indietro. (It was too late to go back.)
D. Structure with abbastanza/sufficientemente… da (enough… to)
With abbastanza or sufficientemente, the construction expresses that the quality reaches the necessary threshold to produce the result.
| Structure | Meaning | Example |
| abbastanza + adjective + da + infinitive | enough … to | È abbastanza grande da capire. (He is old enough to understand.) |
| sufficientemente + adjective + da + infinitive | sufficiently … to | La stanza è sufficientemente ampia da contenere tutti. (The room is large enough to hold everyone.) |
Examples:
- Hai studiato abbastanza da superare l’esame. (You studied enough to pass the exam.)
- Il cibo era abbastanza caldo da essere mangiato. (The food was warm enough to be eaten.)
E. Structure with tale… da (such… that)
The adjective tale (such) can also introduce a consecutive clause with da.
- La situazione era tale da preoccupare tutti. (The situation was such that it worried everyone.)
- Ha preso una decisione tale da cambiare la sua vita. (He made such a decision that it changed his life.)
F. Comparison with che + subjunctive
The da + infinitive construction is often interchangeable with a full consecutive clause using che + subjunctive (or indicative), but it is more concise and elegant.
| Da + infinitive | Che + subjunctive |
| Così stanco da dormire. Troppo buono da essere vero. | Così stanco che dormiva / che si addormentasse. Tanto buono che non può essere vero. |
2. Da + infinitive to introduce final propositions (purpose)
In this function, da + infinitive expresses the purpose, aim, or intended function of an action or object. It answers the question: A che scopo? Per quale fine? (For what purpose?).
A. With verbs of motion or action
When attached to a verb (often implied), da + infinitive indicates the goal or intention of an action.
- Vado dal panettiere a comprare il pane. (I’m going to the baker’s to buy bread—note: a is more common for purpose with verbs of motion.)
- Cerco qualcosa da mangiare. (I’m looking for something to eat.)
Key distinction:
- Da + infinitive after a noun indicates the purpose of the noun.
- A + infinitive after a verb of motion indicates the purpose of the motion.
- Per + infinitive emphasizes the goal or intention.
B. With nouns: attributive purpose
This is the most common and distinctive use: da + infinitive attached to a noun indicates what the noun is designed for, intended for, or used for. The infinitive functions like an adjective describing the noun’s purpose.
Structure: noun + da + infinitive (noun + for …-ing)
- Macchina da scrivere. (Machine for writing → typewriter.)
- Carta da lettere. (Paper for letters → writing paper.)
- Acqua da bere. (Water for drinking → drinking water.)
- Abbiti da sera. (Clothes for evening → evening wear.)
- Sala da pranzo. (Room for lunch → dining room.)
- Cane da caccia. (Dog for hunting → hunting dog.)
- Ferro da stiro. (Iron for ironing → clothes iron.)
C. With nouns: attributive purpose (specific examples)
| Italian phrase | Literal meaning | English equivalent |
| spazzolino da denti sapone da barba sapone da bucato sapone da lavatrice lacci da scarpe sala d’attesa occhiali da sole scarpe da ginnastica carta da regalo tavolo da stiro macchina da cucire macchina da caffè borsa da viaggio vestito da sposa camera da letto | little brush for teeth soap for beard soap for laundry soap for washing machine laces for shoes room for waiting glasses for sun shoes for gymnastics paper for gift table for ironing machine for sewing machine for coffee bag for travel dress for bride room for bed | toothbrush shaving soap laundry soap washing machine detergent shoelaces waiting room sunglasses gym shoes / sneakers gift wrap ironing board sewing machine coffee machine travel bag wedding dress bedroom |
3. Special cases and idiomatic expressions
A. Da + infinitive in fixed expressions
| Expression | Example |
| da morire (to die for / extremely) | Buono da morire. (So good you could die.) |
| da pazzi (crazy / unbelievable) | Un prezzo da pazzi. (A crazy price.) |
| da non credere (unbelievable) | Una storia da non credere. (An unbelievable story.) |
| da vedere (worth seeing) | È un posto da vedere. (It’s a place worth seeing.) |
| da evitare (to be avoided) | Un ristorante da evitare. (A restaurant to avoid.) |
| da paura [scary / awesome (colloquial)] | Un film da paura. (A scary film.) |
B. C’è da + infinitive (impersonal necessity/opportunity)
This construction expresses that there is reason to or need to do something.
- C’è da preoccuparsi. (There’s reason to worry.)
- Non c’è da scherzare. (This is no joking matter.)
- C’è da aspettarsi di tutto. (One can expect anything.)
C. Avere da + infinitive (personal obligation)
Similar to dovere, but with a nuance of having something pending.
- Ho da fare. (I have things to do.)
- Non ho niente da perdere. (I have nothing to lose.)