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How to Say ‘I didn't know that, good thing I asked.’ in Italian

Non lo sapevo, meno male che ho chiesto.

nohn lo sah-PEH-voh MEH-noh MAH-leh keh oh KEE-ehs-toh

[nohn lo sah-PEH-voh MEH-noh MAH-leh keh oh KEE-ehs-toh]

Phrase Breakdown

Non lo sapevo,

nohn lo sah-PEH-voh

I didn't know,

A common way to admit you didn't know something. Stress: sa-PE-vo.

Example

Non lo sapevo, grazie.

I didn't know, thanks.

Words in this phrase

Non

[nohn]

not

This word negates the verb that follows it.

Example

Non c'é nessuno.

There is no one.

[lo]

Used to refer to an object or thing mentioned earlier.

Example

Lo vedo ogni giorno.

I see it every day.

sapevo

[sah-PEH-voh]

I knew

Imperfect of sapere, first person.

Example

Non sapevo la strada.

I didn't know the way.

meno male che ho chiesto.

MEH-noh MAH-leh keh oh KEE-ehs-toh

good thing I asked.

'Meno male' means 'thank goodness'. 'Chiesto' is the past participle of 'chiedere', and 'ch' sounds like 'k': KIE-sto.

Example

Meno male che sei arrivato!

Good thing you've arrived!

Words in this phrase

meno

[MEH-noh]

less (in 'meno male' = thank goodness)

Part of the expression 'meno male', meaning luckily.

Example

Meno male che sei arrivato!

Thank goodness you arrived!

male

[MAH-leh]

bad (in 'meno male' = thank goodness)

Means bad; in 'meno male' it expresses relief.

Example

Meno male, è aperto.

Thank goodness, it's open.

che

[keh]

that

Used to identify a specific thing or person.

Example

Quello che lei fa è incredibile.

What she does is incredible.

[oh]

I have

First person singular of avere, used with a past participle to form the present perfect.

Example

Ho parlato con tre aziende oggi.

I have spoken with three companies today.

chiesto

[KEE-ehs-toh]

asked

To put a question to someone.

Example

Mi sono chiesto se arriva.

I asked myself if he is coming.

Guides for Italian learners

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