المعنى
To act in one's own self-interest.
خلفية ثقافية
The idiom is deeply linked to the concept of 'furbizia' (cunning). In Italian culture, being 'furbo' is often seen with a mix of admiration and suspicion. In Tuscany, where many mills were historically located along the Arno, the phrase is used with particular frequency and often with the verb 'tirare'. In Milanese business circles, the phrase is used to describe 'silos'—departments that don't collaborate because they only care about their own KPIs. Political talk shows (talk show politici) are the primary place to hear this. It is the standard accusation against biased 'opinionisti'.
Use 'Tirare' for emphasis
If you want to sound more native and emphasize that someone is being particularly aggressive in their self-interest, use 'tirare' instead of 'portare'.
Watch the possessive!
Don't say 'al proprio mulino' if you are talking to someone about THEIR actions. Say 'al TUO mulino'.
المعنى
To act in one's own self-interest.
Use 'Tirare' for emphasis
If you want to sound more native and emphasize that someone is being particularly aggressive in their self-interest, use 'tirare' instead of 'portare'.
Watch the possessive!
Don't say 'al proprio mulino' if you are talking to someone about THEIR actions. Say 'al TUO mulino'.
The 'Senza voler...' trick
Italians often start a sentence with 'Senza voler portare acqua al mio mulino...' (Without wanting to bring water to my mill...) right before they say something that benefits them. It's a polite rhetorical shield.
اختبر نفسك
Completa la frase con la forma corretta del possessivo.
Se continui a parlare solo dei tuoi successi, sembrerà che tu stia portando acqua al ______ mulino.
The subject is 'tu' (you), so the possessive must be 'tuo'.
Qual è il significato figurato di questa espressione?
Cosa significa 'portare acqua al proprio mulino'?
The idiom refers to acting or arguing for personal advantage.
In quale di queste situazioni è PIÙ appropriato usare l'idioma?
Scegli la situazione corretta:
The salesperson is manipulating the information to their own advantage.
Completa il dialogo.
A: 'Marco dice che dovremmo cambiare ufficio perché quello nuovo è più moderno.' B: 'Non credergli, vuole solo ______.'
Marco likely wants the new office because it's closer to his house or better for him personally.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينSe continui a parlare solo dei tuoi successi, sembrerà che tu stia portando acqua al ______ mulino.
The subject is 'tu' (you), so the possessive must be 'tuo'.
Cosa significa 'portare acqua al proprio mulino'?
The idiom refers to acting or arguing for personal advantage.
Scegli la situazione corretta:
The salesperson is manipulating the information to their own advantage.
A: 'Marco dice che dovremmo cambiare ufficio perché quello nuovo è più moderno.' B: 'Non credergli, vuole solo ______.'
Marco likely wants the new office because it's closer to his house or better for him personally.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةIt's not a swear word, but it is a criticism. It's like calling someone 'biased' or 'self-serving'. Use it carefully in formal settings.
Generally, no. It almost always implies that the person is being non-objective or a bit selfish.
They are interchangeable, but 'tirare' (to pull) feels slightly more active and intentional.
You can use 'suo', but 'proprio' is more idiomatic and emphasizes that it's THEIR OWN mill.
Yes, it's a very common idiom that hasn't gone out of style, though they might use it more in debates than in casual texting.
Yes, if you use the 'Senza voler...' trick mentioned in the tips. It shows good linguistic command.
Yes: 'Portare acqua ai propri mulini', but it's much rarer. Usually, we say 'Ognuno porta acqua al proprio mulino' (Everyone brings water to their own mill).
Usually, yes. It's about how someone presents information or logic.
Constantly. It's a favorite of political journalists.
Yes, you can replace 'proprio' with 'di [Name]' to say someone is helping someone else's interest.
عبارات ذات صلة
Fare il proprio gioco
synonymTo act in a way that favors one's own strategy.
Curare il proprio orticello
similarTo take care of one's own small interests while ignoring the big picture.
Pensare per sé
synonymTo think only of oneself.
Remare contro
contrastTo row against (to hinder a group effort).
Mettere i bastoni tra le ruote
contrastTo put a spoke in someone's wheel.
