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How to Say ‘You really shouldn't have.’ in Italian

Non dovevi disturbarti, davvero.

nohn doh-VEH-vee dee-stoor-BAR-tee dahv-VEH-roh

[nohn doh-VEH-vee dee-stoor-BAR-tee dahv-VEH-roh]

🇮🇹 In Italy: A standard, warm reply when receiving a gift. It isn't a real protest, so just smile and wave it off.

Phrase Breakdown

Non dovevi disturbarti,

nohn doh-VEH-vee dee-stoor-BAR-tee

You shouldn't have gone to the trouble,

A polite phrase for thanking someone when you receive a gift.

Example

Che bei fiori! Non dovevi disturbarti.

What beautiful flowers! You shouldn't have.

Words in this phrase

Non

[nohn]

not

This word negates the verb that follows it.

Example

Non c'é nessuno.

There is no one.

dovevi

[doh-VEH-vee]

you should have / had to

Imperfect of 'dovere'; with 'non' it means 'you shouldn't have'.

Example

Non dovevi comprarlo.

You shouldn't have bought it.

disturbarti

[dee-stoor-BAR-tee]

to disturb you

Verb 'disturbare' (to bother) plus 'ti' (you), informal.

Example

Non voglio disturbarti.

I don't want to bother you.

davvero.

dahv-VEH-roh

really.

Adds emphasis. Double the 'vv': dahv-VEH-roh.

Example

Grazie, davvero.

Thanks, really.

Words in this phrase

davvero

[dahv-VEH-roh]

really

An adverb used to strengthen what you are saying.

Example

L'avverbio "davvero" rende la frase più sincera e forte.

The adverb "really" makes the sentence more sincere and stronger.

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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