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How to Say ‘I'd love to, but I'm here with my friends.’ in Italian

Volentieri, però sono qui con le mie amiche.

voh-len-TYEH-ree peh-ROH SOH-noh kwee kohn Leh MEE-eh ah-MEE-keh

[voh-len-TYEH-ree peh-ROH SOH-noh kwee kohn Leh MEE-eh ah-MEE-keh]

🇮🇹 In Italy: Volentieri signals a real yes, and the però isn't a brush-off. Italians typically check in with the friends they came with before going off with someone new.

Phrase Breakdown

Volentieri,

voh-len-TYEH-ree

Gladly,

A friendly way to accept. Stress on 'TIE': vo-len-tee-EH-ree.

Example

Un caffè? Volentieri!

A coffee? Gladly!

Words in this phrase

Volentieri

[voh-len-TYEH-ree]

gladly; with pleasure

A polite adverb used to accept an invitation or suggestion enthusiastically.

Example

Volentieri, possiamo risentirci la prossima settimana.

Gladly, we can talk again next week.

però sono qui

peh-ROH SOH-noh kwee

but I'm here

'Però' means 'but' and is stressed on the final 'ò'.

Example

Vorrei, però sono stanco.

I'd like to, but I'm tired.

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.

sono

[SOH-noh]

I am

First person singular of essere, used to say who you are or where you are.

Example

Sono molto interessato alle opportunità di lavoro qui.

I am very interested in job opportunities here.

qui

[kwee]

here

Indicates this place; useful when talking about the current company or environment.

Example

"Qui" l'ambiente sembra molto collaborativo.

"Here" the environment seems very collaborative.

con le mie amiche.

kohn Leh MEE-eh ah-MEE-keh

with my (female) friends.

Feminine plural with the possessive. The 'ch' sounds like 'k'.

Example

Sono al bar con le mie amiche.

I'm at the bar with my friends.

Words in this phrase

con

[kohn]

with

A preposition meaning with, often used to describe manner or attitude.

Example

Nell'espressione Con sincerità, Con spiega il modo in cui le persone si comportano.

In the expression 'Con sincerità,' 'Con' explains the way people behave.

[Leh]

The (feminine plural)

Definite article used for feminine plural nouns.

Example

Le mele costano tre euro al chilo.

The apples cost three euros per kilo.

mie

[MEE-eh]

Feminine plural form of 'my'.

Example

Le mie scarpe sono nuove.

My shoes are new.

amiche

[ah-MEE-keh]

female friends

Plural of 'amica', female friend.

Example

Esco con le amiche.

I'm going out with my friends.

Guides for Italian learners

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