How to Use "Andare a": Meaning, Uses and Practical Examples

Learning Italian also means mastering those expressions that make speech sound natural and authentic. One of these is the phrasal verb "Andare a," a verbal expression that often confuses A2-B2 level Italian L2 students. It's not just about “going” somewhere, but a versatile structure that expresses intentions, imminent actions, or purposes. If you’ve ever wondered how to use "Andare a" correctly or what it means, this guide is for you. You’ll discover its structure, practical examples, and common mistakes to avoid so you can communicate in Italian with more confidence.

Table of Contents

• What does “Andare a” mean?
• The Grammatical Structure: How to Use It?
• Sentences and Examples with “Andare a”
• Crucial Differences: Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Similar or Related Expressions
• Conclusion

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What does “Andare a” mean?

• Literal Meaning: Expresses movement toward a place or a person.
  • Example: "Vado a casa."
• Figurative Meaning: Indicates an imminent action or a future purpose (with an infinitive).
  • Example: "Vado a comprare il pane."

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The Grammatical Structure: How to Use It?

The verb "andare a" can be used in two main ways, reflecting its meanings.

1. Movement toward a place/person:

   • Formula: [Subject] + Verb "Andare" (conjugated) + a + [Place/Noun]
   • Example: "Noi andiamo a scuola ogni mattina."
   • Explanation: The preposition "a" introduces the complement of motion to a place.

2. Imminent action or future purpose: This is the so-called verbal periphrasis of the future.

   • Formula: [Subject] + Verb "Andare" (conjugated) + a + [Verb in the Infinitive]
   • Example: "Dopo il lavoro, vado a fare una passeggiata."
   • Explanation: In this case, "andare a" indicates the intention or preparation to perform an action in the near future. It’s similar to "going to" in English. This structure is very common in daily speech to express an immediate future or a plan.
   • According to Treccani, "andare a + infinitive" is one of the verbal periphrases that "build the verb tense in a particular aspect".

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Sentences and Examples with “Andare a”

Let’s see how "andare a" fits into real contexts, from everyday situations to more specific ones, to give you a clear idea of its use in natural speech.

📍 Context: Family Planning

Mom: "Cosa **vai a fare** dopo aver finito i compiti?"

Son: "**Vado a giocare** a calcio con gli amici."

📍 Context: Work / Projects

Colleague A: "Oggi pomeriggio **vado a incontrare** un nuovo cliente in centro."

Colleague B: "Great! I, instead, **vado a finire** quella relazione urgente."

📍 Context: Social Life / Friends

Friend 1: "Stasera **andiamo a vedere** un concerto, vuoi unirti a noi?"

Friend 2: "Of course! And after, maybe, **andiamo a bere** qualcosa?"

📍 Context: Free Time / Travel

Tourist A: "**Andiamo a visitare** il Colosseum tomorrow morning?"

Tourist B: "Yes, and after lunch **andiamo a provare** la vera pizza romana!"

Crucial Differences: Common Mistakes to Avoid

One of the most common mistakes for Italian learners is confusing "andare a + infinitive" with "stare per + infinitive," which, although both express a future, have different nuances.

Andare a + Infinitive Vs. Stare per + Infinitive

• Andare a + Infinitive: Indicates a future intentional action, a plan, or a purpose. There’s an idea of movement, preparation, or beginning.

  • Example: "Vado a studiare per l'esame di grammatica italiana B1." (I intend to study)

• Stare per + Infinitive: Indicates an action that is about to happen, a very, very near future, almost immediate.

  • Example: "Sto per uscire, ti chiamo appena arrivo." (I’m leaving in a moment)

The difference is subtle but important for the accuracy of your practical Italian vocabulary. "Andare a" is more intention- or plan-oriented, while "stare per" is about immediacy.

Similar or Related Expressions

To further enrich your vocabulary, here are some expressions that, while not perfect synonyms, share an idea of beginning or preparation for action.

Conclusion

We hope this detailed guide helped you understand and memorize the use of the phrasal verb "andare a." It’s a powerful tool for more authentic speech and for expressing intentions and future plans clearly. Practicing with real examples is the best way to own it.

Now it’s your turn! Try to write a sentence in the comments using "andare a" to tell us something you intend to do tomorrow. We’re curious to read your examples and see how you put these explained Italian grammar rules into practice!