Hi! I’ve just recently started learning Italian, and I’ve been using the book “Easy Italian step-by-step” by Paola Nani-Tate (Portuguese version). In the second chapter, they explain that when someone says “sto a casa” it means that they are at home, and won’t leave, whether “sono a casa” would mean that the person is free to leave said place.
The thing is, when i got to the question part of the chapter, i am told to translate these two sentences:

1- “Her friend is in Italy for three weeks”
2- “The kids are in the park for three hours”

The answers in the book are:

1- “La sua amica è in Italia per tre settimane”
2- “I bambini stanno al parco per tre ore”

I would think that, since all of them have a set date/time to leave the place, i should use the ver “essere” for both. But apparently im wrong hahahah. Would somebody please explain me the difference between the sentences and if i did get the meanings of “stare” and “essere” (when about location) wright?

Thanks in advance!!!

Question

Hi! I’ve just recently started learning Italian, and I’ve been using the book “Easy Italian step-by-step” by Paola Nani-Tate (Portuguese version). In the second chapter, they explain that when someone says “sto a casa” it means that they are at home, and won’t leave, whether “sono a casa” would mean that the person is free to leave said place. 
The thing is, when i got to the question part of the chapter, i am told to translate these two sentences:

1- “Her friend is in Italy for three weeks”
2- “The kids are in the park for three hours”

The answers in the book are:

1- “La sua amica è in Italia per tre settimane”
2- “I bambini stanno al parco per tre ore”

I would think that, since all of them have a set date/time to leave the place, i should use the ver “essere” for both. But apparently im wrong hahahah. Would somebody please explain me the difference between the sentences and if i did get the meanings of “stare” and “essere” (when about location) wright?

Thanks in advance!!!

Puyali · Answer

@BiancaF16 wow, tão complicado. Pode ajudar pensar que "stare" é "ficar". No italiano falado, usamos "stare" seja na frase 1 seja na frase 2.

Puyali · Answer

@BiancaF16 stare significa principalmente ficar, há vezes em que significa estar, mas usa-se muito menos do que em PT

valeq99 · Answer

Hi, I'm Italian and I find this very strange. I would use "essere" or even "stare" for both, there's almost no difference for us and I think this book is too punctilious 😅. It makes sense in the explanation: if someone asks me what I'm doing that night and I planned to stay home I'd say "sto a casa" and if someone asks me where am I, I would answer "sono a casa" but idk I think it's the same in the second case...