In this lesson we will clarify, once and for all, when and how the expression “Mi raccomando!” is used in Italian as well as all the other uses of the verb “raccomandare”… brace yourself!
What does MI RACCOMANDO mean?
The verb “raccomandare” has several meanings: in this lesson we will find out them all!
1) RACCOMANDARE (put a good word for) someone to someone else
To help, to say nice things about a person to provide him/her a benefit
Example:
Marco raccomanda suo fratello presso il direttore per fargli avere un posto nell’azienda. (Marco recommends his brother to the senior manager to get him a job in the company)
From this meaning of “raccomandare” we get:
RACCOMANDATO (someone with connections) = someone who was point out through recommendation, supported, sustained by someone
Example:
C’erano molti concorrenti validi, ma alla fine ha vinto un raccomandato. (There were a lot of valid candidates, but, at the end of the day, the winner was a recommended one)
RACCOMANDABILE = advisable, that deserves recommendation (It is often used with a negative connotation to indicate people who are disreputable)
Example:
Il fidanzato di Gloria è un tipo poco raccomandabile: lo hanno visto frequentare zone malfamate. (Gloria’s boyfriend is a disreputable guy: they saw him hanging out at infamous parts of the city)
One place to learn Italian
Join the LearnAmo Academy2) RACCOMANDARE (give the custody) something / someone
To entrust something or someone (we care about) to the care of someone or something else
Example:
Ci raccomanda suo figlio per questa sera. (He/She entrusts his/her child for tonight)
= Ci affida suo figlio affinché possiamo prendercene cura. (He/She entrusts his/her child to take care about him/her)
Review the possessive adjectives in Italian!
3) RACCOMANDARE someone / something to someone
To advise (strongly), to suggest
Example:
Ho raccomandato a quel turista un ottimo ristorante di pesce. (I recommended that tourist a great fish restaurant)
With the same meaning we can have other two forms:
- DI + INFINITIVE → Mi raccomandano di arrivare puntuale alla riunione. (They recommend me to be on time for the meeting)
- CHE + SUBJUNCTIVE→ Mi raccomandano che arrivi puntuale alla riunione. (They recommend I am on time for the meeting)
Between these two forms, the former is more used than the latter…
4) MI RACCOMANDO! + imperative sentence
This expression is used to give someone an advice so strong that seems an obligation!
It can be found only in this form, usually in conversational situations.
Example:
Mi raccomando, torna presto! (Please, come back soon!)
BE CAREFUL!
Don’t ever use this expression in different forms like «Ti raccomando, torna presto», «Vi raccomando, tornate presto».
In fact, even if we are referring to more people, we use the same expression!
Example:
Mi raccomando, tornate presto!
Now that you learned this verb, also learn the verb BISOGNARE!
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Caricamento quiz in corso…
