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How to Say ‘This is for you, just a little something.’ in Italian

Questo è per Lei, un piccolo pensiero.

KWEH-stoh eh pehr Lei oon peek-KOH-loh pen-SYEH-roh

[KWEH-stoh eh pehr Lei oon peek-KOH-loh pen-SYEH-roh]

🇮🇹 In Italy: Downplaying your gift is expected politeness. Hosts will protest that you shouldn't have, and you wave it off.

Phrase Breakdown

Questo è per Lei,

KWEH-stoh eh pehr Lei

This is for you (formal),

Polite phrase for handing over a gift. Pause briefly at the comma.

Example

Questo è per Lei, signora.

This is for you, madam.

Words in this phrase

Questo

[KWEH-stoh]

this

Demonstrative adjective used to point to something near or specific.

Example

Questo ambiente sembra aperto e rispettoso.

This environment seems open and respectful.

[eh]

Third-person singular of 'essere'; used to describe a person, company, or situation.

Example

Quando dici È in È molto umana, stai descrivendo l'azienda.

When you say 'È' in 'È molto umana,' you are describing the company.

per

[pehr]

for

A preposition used to explain purpose or reason.

Example

Sono qui per conoscere nuove aziende.

I am here to get to know new companies.

Lei

[Lei]

You (formal)

Polite form of 'you', used when addressing someone formally.

Example

Questo regalo è per Lei.

This gift is for you.

un piccolo pensiero.

oon peek-KOH-loh pen-SYEH-roh

a little something

This literally means 'a small thought' and is a modest way to describe a gift. Say PEEK-koh-loh pen-SYEH-roh, holding the double C.

Example

Ti ho portato un piccolo pensiero.

I brought you a little something.

Words in this phrase

[oon]

Indefinite article used before a masculine singular noun.

Example

In Un buon equilibrio, Un introduce l'idea di un balance positivo.

In 'Un buon equilibrio,' 'Un' introduces the idea of a positive balance.

piccolo

[peek-KOH-loh]

small

Describes a smaller size; useful when choosing drink sizes.

Example

Un caffè piccolo per me, grazie.

A small coffee for me, thanks.

pensiero

[pen-SYEH-roh]

thought; small gift

Literally 'thought'; 'un pensiero' is a modest way to call a gift.

Example

Ti ho portato un pensiero dall'Inghilterra.

I brought you a little something from England.

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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