Italian Translation Practice #22: Pronominal Verbs

Hi everyone

I’ve constructed today’s translation practice around the use of Italian pronominal verbs, which are verbs that are conjugated with two different pronoun particles.

In their infinitive form, many of these verbs end in ‘SENE’ as in the verbs andarsene (to go away), approfittarsene (to take advantage of somebody or something) and curarsene (to be cured of something).

However, they can also end in other pronoun combinations, such as ‘SELA’, for example in the verbs cavarsela (to get out of a difficulty) and dormirsela (to sleep soundly), ‘CELA’, as in the verb mettercela tutta (to do one’s best) or farcela (to manage something), or ‘CISI’, as in the verbs trovarcisi (to find oneself) and vedercisi (to see oneself doing something).

In the imperative and gerund verb form both pronouns are appended as a suffix to the conjugated verb (e.g. Andatevene! Vattene! Andiamocene!), while in other tenses both pronouns precede the verb and are separate from it (e.g. me ne vado; ce ne freghiamo). As you can see from these examples, the particles also change their phonetic construction from mi, ti, si, ci and vi to me, te, se, ce, and ve.

Try to translate the following exercise, using pronominal verb constructions where it’s appropriate to do so. You should be able to find all the constructions that you need on the following list:

Accorgersene: to become aware of something, to notice something, to realise something
Andarsene: to go away
Approfittarsene: to take advantage of something or somebody
Aspettarsela : to expect something
Avercela (con qualcuno): to be angry with someone
Battersela: to beat it
Cavarsela: to get out of a difficulty, to manage, to get by, to cope
Chiederselo : to ask oneself
Curarsene (or prendersene cura): to be cured of something
Darsela a gambe: to run away
Darsele: to come to blow, to fight
Dirsene di tutti i colori: to call one another names
Disinteressarsene: to take no interest in something
Dormirsela: to sleep soundly
Farcela: to manage
Filarsela: to beat it
Fregarsene: not to care (colloquial; to be avoided in formal situations)
Godersela: to have a good time
Guardarsene: to beware, to avoid
Infischiarsene: not to care (colloquial; to be avoided in formal situations)
Intendersela: to have an affair
Intendersene: to be an expert
Lavarsene (le mani): to wash one's hands of something
Mettercela tutta: do one's best
Occuparsene: to take care of something
Pentirsene: to regret something
Prendersela (comoda): to take one's time
Prendersela: to take offence
Sbattersene: not to care (colloquial; to be avoided in formal situations)
Squagliarsela: to sneak away
Svignarsela: to sneak away
Tornarsene: emphatic for tornare
Trovarcisi: to find oneself
Vedercisi: to see oneself doing something
Vedersela brutta: to fear the worst
Vergognarsene: to be ashamed of something

As usual, the dialogue features our mismatched couple David and Laura, whose relationship appears to be deteriorating rapidly!

Laura: David, don’t sneak away, I need to talk to you about something.

David: About what?

Laura: About what’s happening between us. Lately it seems that you’re hardly ever home, and we never spend any quality time together. I’m really unhappy, and you don’t give a damn about it. Do you even notice?

David: Don’t get mad at me! I’m doing my best, but you know I have a demanding job...

Laura: You always use your job as an excuse for everything. Tell me honestly, are you having an affair?

David: An affair? Are you crazy? When would I find time to have an affair?

Laura: I don’t know! I find myself wondering all the time where you are – whether you’re out somewhere having a good time when you say you’re working. Just tell me the truth! I can cope with that, and it’s got to be better than fearing the worst all the time.

David: OK, I’m having an affair! Or rather, I had an affair, but it’s over now. There! I said it! Are you happy now?

Laura: Get out! Go on, leave!

David: Look, can’t we talk about this like civilised adults? I regret it, and I’m ashamed of it, but it’s not all my fault! Ask yourself why I did it! You’re always moody, you take offence at the slightest thing, and you take no interest in me at all! Sometimes I ask myself if you even love me…

Laura: So I’m partially responsible for this am I? You have an affair, and I’m to blame? You’re unbelievable! That’s it! It’s over between us!

David: Can’t we work this out?

Laura: Leave! Go on, pack your bags and leave! I wash my hands of you! Go home to your mother!

David: But I love you…how will I cope without you?

Laura: I don’t care…I’m sure you’ll manage it somehow…