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15.3.3 prepositions di - 2

di after indefinite pronouns which stand for a part of something

The indefinite pronouns describes an unknown part of something. They are connected to the noun with the preposition di.

Give me some sugar.
=> Dammi un poco di zucchero.
I must tell you something important.
=> Devo dirti qualcosa di importante.
Do you have some coffee left?
=> Ti resta ancora un poco di caffè.
Think about something beautiful.
=> Pensa a qualcosa di bello.

di with the comparative

The comparative compares two data in terms of superiority (He runs faster than him), equality (He runs as fast as he) or inferiority (He doesn't run as fast as he). The comparison can be made on adjectives, adverbs and nouns. The comparative particle is di (and not che if you may believe if you speak French or Spanish).

adjective
Lui è più svelto di lei.
He is slimmer than she.
adverbe
Lui corre più veloce di lei.
He runs faster than he.
noun
Lui ha più soldi di lei.
He has more money than she.

The lecturer has already realized the comparative particle in Italian is di and not, as in Spanish and French, que.

italian: Maria è più laboriosa di lui.
french: Maria est plus travailleuse que lui.
spanish: Maria es más diligente que él.

Pay attention to the fact that it is NOT like in French or Spanish. The comparative particle is di and not che (que) like in French or Spanish.

To this rule there are some exceptions. The comparative particle is che

if there is a preposition
È meglio stare a casa che in ospedale.
It is better to be at home than in hospital.
if there is an adverb
È più piacevole mangiare guardando il mare piuttosto che nel centro della città.
It is more convenient to eat looking at the sea than in the center of the town.

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