How to Say ‘But to you’ in Italian
Ma a lei
mah ah ley
[mah ah ley]
💬 Usage Tip: [A lei] is the formal way to say "to you." Italian uses [Lei]/[le] for polite address, so you'll also hear things like [le dico] "I tell you" and [le scrivo] "I write to you."
🇮🇹 In Italy: Using [Lei] fits speaking to someone you don't know well or in a respectful, slightly formal flirtation. In this scene it adds charm and distance at the same time.
Phrase Breakdown
Ma
[mah]
But
Used to introduce a contrasting statement.
Ma a lei
But to her
a
[ah]
To
Used to indicate a direction or position.
Andrò a casa sua.
I will go to her house.
lei
[ley]
Her
A pronoun used to refer to a female person.
Ho dato un libro a lei.
I gave a book to her.
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