🚗🌙➡️🚫🍷

How to Say ‘But I'm driving tonight, so no alcohol.’ in Italian

Però stasera guido io, quindi niente alcol.

peh-ROH stah-SEH-rah GWEE-doh ee-o KWEEN-dee NYEN-teh AHL-kohl

[peh-ROH stah-SEH-rah GWEE-doh ee-o KWEEN-dee NYEN-teh AHL-kohl]

🇮🇹 In Italy: Italy's drink-driving limit is low and strictly enforced, so turning down alcohol for this reason is common and nobody will press you.

Phrase Breakdown

Però stasera guido io,

peh-ROH stah-SEH-rah GWEE-doh ee-o

But I'm driving tonight,

'Però' means 'but'. Stress the final O: pe-RÒ.

Example

Però stasera esco io.

But tonight I'm the one going out.

Words in this phrase

Però

[peh-ROH]

but

Used to introduce a contrast or exception.

Example

Però, c'è un problema.

But, there's a problem.

stasera

[stah-SEH-rah]

tonight

Short for 'questa sera', this evening.

Example

Stasera esco con gli amici.

Tonight I'm going out with friends.

guido

[GWEE-doh]

I drive

First person singular present of 'guidare', to drive.

Example

Guido sempre io la macchina.

I always drive the car.

[ee-o]

Referring to oneself as a subject.

Example

Io voglio migliorare il mio punteggio.

I want to improve my score.

quindi niente alcol.

KWEEN-dee NYEN-teh AHL-kohl

so no alcohol.

'Quindi' means 'so'. Stress AL-col on the first syllable.

Example

Sono stanco, quindi niente festa.

I'm tired, so no party.

Words in this phrase

quindi

[KWEEN-dee]

Used to introduce a conclusion or summary of the information.

Example

Quindi il tavolo è pronto per voi.

So the table is ready for you.

niente

[NYEN-teh]

no / nothing

A word meaning nothing or no; in context it can mean none or no available service.

Example

Niente valet stasera, mi dispiace.

No valet tonight, I'm sorry.

alcol

[AHL-kohl]

alcohol

Alcoholic drinks in general.

Example

Non bevo alcol.

I don't drink alcohol.

Guides for Italian learners

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