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How to Say ‘That's kind of you, but I'd rather split it.’ in Italian

Sei gentile, ma preferisco dividere.

SEH-ee jen-TEE-leh mah preh-feh-REES-koh dee-VEE-deh-reh

[SEH-ee jen-TEE-leh mah preh-feh-REES-koh dee-VEE-deh-reh]

🇮🇹 In Italy: Thanking someone before declining softens the refusal, and Italians appreciate that cushioning. Simply saying no to an offer to pay can come across as cold.

Phrase Breakdown

Sei gentile,

SEH-ee jen-TEE-leh

You're kind,

'Gentile' means 'kind', not 'gentle'. The g is soft, as in 'gem': jen-TEE-le.

Example

Sei molto gentile, grazie.

You're very kind, thanks.

Words in this phrase

Sei

[SEH-ee]

you are

Informal 'tu' form of 'essere'.

Example

Sei molto simpatico.

You are very nice.

gentile

[jen-TEE-leh]

kind

Considerate, helpful, and gentle; expressing a caring nature.

Example

È una persona gentile.

She is a kind person.

ma preferisco dividere.

mah preh-feh-REES-koh dee-VEE-deh-reh

but I prefer to split.

'Preferisco' is stressed on 'RI'. 'Dividere' is stressed on 'VI': di-VI-de-re.

Example

Preferisco dividere il conto.

I prefer to split the bill.

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.

preferisco

[preh-feh-REES-koh]

I prefer

First person singular of preferire, to prefer.

Example

Preferisco il caffè senza zucchero.

I prefer coffee without sugar.

dividere

[dee-VEE-deh-reh]

to split / divide

Infinitive verb meaning to share or divide something, like a bill.

Example

Possiamo dividere la pizza.

We can split the pizza.

Guides for Italian learners

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