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How to Say ‘Thanks, but I have to go to my parents'.’ in Italian

Grazie, ma devo andare dai miei.

GRAHT-syeh mah DEH-voh ahn-dah-reh dye mee-AY

[GRAHT-syeh mah DEH-voh ahn-dah-reh dye mee-AY]

🇮🇹 In Italy: Christmas Day is centred on a long family lunch, so heading to your parents' is a reason nobody will argue with.

Phrase Breakdown

Grazie,

GRAHT-syeh

Thanks,

Say it as 'GRA-tsye'. The 'z' sounds like 'ts'.

Example

Grazie, sei molto gentile.

Thanks, you're very kind.

Words in this phrase

Grazie

[GRAHT-syeh]

thank you

The standard word for thanks.

Example

Grazie per il panino.

Thanks for the sandwich.

ma devo andare dai miei.

mah DEH-voh ahn-dah-reh dye mee-AY

but I have to go to my parents'.

'Dai miei' means 'to my folks' place'. 'I miei' is a common short way to say 'my parents'.

Example

A Natale vado dai miei.

At Christmas I go to my parents'.

Words in this phrase

[mah]

But

Used to introduce a contrasting statement or question.

Example

Ma non capisco perché ma allora lei è felice.

But I don't understand why but then she is happy.

devo

[DEH-voh]

I must

First person singular of needing or having to do something.

Example

Devo studiare.

I must study.

andare

[ahn-dah-reh]

To move or travel towards.

Example

Devo andare a casa subito.

I need to go home immediately.

dai

[dye]

at the (place of)

'Da' + 'i'; means at someone's home.

Example

Stasera ceno dai nonni.

Tonight I'm having dinner at my grandparents'.

miei

[mee-AY]

my folks

'I miei' alone means my parents.

Example

Vado a trovare i miei.

I'm going to visit my parents.

Guides for Italian learners

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