To be used to (doing) something
In Italian, when we want to say “to be used to (doing) something“, we use the following expression: essere abituato a (fare) qualcosa.
This is a very useful and common expression. We usually use it when we want to talk about something or someone we’re familiar with.
It could be a person, a place, an object, or an action.
Abituato, abituata, abituati, abituate
Abituato is a participle and agrees with the subject in terms of gender and number. Here’s the logic:
- if the sentence refers to a man – the participle ends in “o“
- if the sentence to a woman – the participle ends in “a“
- if the sentence to more than one man – the participle ends in “i“
- if the sentence to more than one woman – the participle ends in “e“
Have a look at the examples below:
Anna è abituata al freddo.
Anna is used to the cold.
Io sono abituata a mangiare tardi.
I’m used to eating later.
Loro sono abituate a questi paesaggi.
They are used to these landscapes.
Luca è abituato a parlare in pubblico.
Luca is used to speaking in public.
Essere abituato a qualcosa/qualcuno
Like in English, you can be used to something or someone in Italian too. The structure is always the same but without a verb: essere abituato + a + qualcosa/qualcuno.
Just make sure you use the preposition “a” correctly. These are its other versions which depend on what you’re referring to: ‘alla, alle, al, allo, agli, all‘.
Here are some examples:
La mia amica è abituata ai tacchi alti.
My friend is used to high heels.
Emanuele è abituato agli spettacoli serali.
Emanuele is used to night shows
Elena e Michele sono abituati al Messico.
Elena and Michele are used to Mexico.
Loro sono abituate alle persone strane.
They are used to strange people.
Essere abituato a fare qualcosa
You can also be used to doing something in Italian. You just need to specify the action by adding a verb in the infinitive, which means the base form (e.g.: mangiare, ballare, bere, dormire).
In this case, the preposition “a” stays the same. Here are some examples:
Io sono abituato a bere il latte caldo.
I’m used to drinking hot milk.
Beatrice è abituata a correre per ore.
Beatrice is used to running for hours.
The pronoun “ci”
Sometimes you don’t need to say what you’re used to if you and your interlocutors know what you’re referring to.
To avoid repetition, you can just add the word “ci” before essere abituato which replaces what’s already been said. It’s like saying “it” in English.
Have a look at the examples below:
Non ti da fastidio la pioggia?
Doesn’t the rain bother you?
No, ci sono abituata.
No, I got used to it.
Come va in Svizzera?
How is it going in Switzerland?
Bene, ormai ci sono abituata.
It’s good, I’m used to it by now.
Come fai a mangiare cosi presto?
How can you eat so early?
Ci sono abituata.
I’m used to it.
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