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How to Say ‘You're right, sorry, it's force of habit.’ in Italian

Hai ragione, scusa, è l'abitudine.

eye rah-JOH-neh SKOO-zah eh l ah-bee-TOO-dee-neh

[eye rah-JOH-neh SKOO-zah eh l ah-bee-TOO-dee-neh]

🇮🇹 In Italy: Slipping back into Lei after being invited to use tu is very common with in-laws. A light apology like this is the natural way to fix it.

Phrase Breakdown

Hai ragione,

eye rah-JOH-neh

You're right,

Literally 'you have reason'. 'Gio' sounds like 'jo': rah-JOH-neh. Leave the 'h' in 'Hai' silent.

Example

Hai ragione, è tardi.

You're right, it's late.

Words in this phrase

Hai

[eye]

you have

Second-person singular of avere; used to address one person informally.

Example

Hai una buona base. per questo ruolo.

You have a good foundation for this role.

ragione

[rah-JOH-neh]

reason / right

With avere: to be right.

Example

Hai ragione tu.

You're right.

scusa,

SKOO-zah

sorry,

This is the informal 'sorry' (formal: 'scusi'). Say SKOO-zah.

Example

Scusa, non ho capito.

Sorry, I didn't understand.

Words in this phrase

scusa

[SKOO-zah]

sorry

Feeling regret or penitence.

Example

Devo dire scusa per il ritardo.

I must say sorry for the delay.

è l'abitudine.

eh l ah-bee-TOO-dee-neh

it's habit.

Use this to excuse an automatic behavior. Stress 'TU' in 'abitudine'.

Example

Mi alzo presto, è l'abitudine.

I get up early, it's habit.

Words in this phrase

[eh]

It is

Used to describe the state, condition, or location of something.

Example

È importante ricordare tutte le regole.

It is important to remember all the rules.

[l]

the (before a vowel)

Contracted article used before a vowel; part of the expression "l'importante."

Example

"L'" atmosfera dello stadio è unica.

The atmosphere of the stadium is unique.

abitudine

[ah-bee-TOO-dee-neh]

habit

Something done regularly, often without thinking.

Example

È una cattiva abitudine.

It's a bad habit.

Guides for Italian learners

Duolingo vs Busuu: Which Is Better for Actually Improving?Duolingo vs Busuu compared: a free gamified habit versus structured levels with corrections from native speakers. Which to choose, and when to use both.

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