Voted Best Answer
Apr 04, 2014 - 07:50 AM
This question is difficult to answer without some context.
In general, the “a” in “a mangiare” probably belongs to a preceding phrase such as:
“I’m going to eat.” - Vado a mangiare. In this sentence, it’s “andare” that requires the “a”, not mangiare.
Another example: “I want to go to eat.” - Voglio andare a mangiare.” Again, the “a” belongs to the phrase: to go to - “andare a.”
“Da mangiare” usually goes with a question.
Do you want something to eat? - Vuole qualcosa da mangiare?
What do they want to eat? - Che cosa vogliono da mangiare?
It’s the same with “to drink”
What do you want to drink? - Che cosa vuole da bere?
But be careful: Do you want to eat? - Vuole mangiare? (no preposition needed)
Here, you're not asking specifically what you want to eat. It's more like asking "Are you hungry?"
In general, the “a” in “a mangiare” probably belongs to a preceding phrase such as:
“I’m going to eat.” - Vado a mangiare. In this sentence, it’s “andare” that requires the “a”, not mangiare.
Another example: “I want to go to eat.” - Voglio andare a mangiare.” Again, the “a” belongs to the phrase: to go to - “andare a.”
“Da mangiare” usually goes with a question.
Do you want something to eat? - Vuole qualcosa da mangiare?
What do they want to eat? - Che cosa vogliono da mangiare?
It’s the same with “to drink”
What do you want to drink? - Che cosa vuole da bere?
But be careful: Do you want to eat? - Vuole mangiare? (no preposition needed)
Here, you're not asking specifically what you want to eat. It's more like asking "Are you hungry?"