Significado
Treating someone with extra care.
Contexto cultural
In Italian restaurants, having an 'occhio di riguardo' often results in a free 'amaro' or 'limoncello' at the end of the meal. It's a way to build 'clientela' (loyal customers). While 'occhio di riguardo' is usually positive, it can sometimes touch upon the controversial Italian concept of 'raccomandazione' (using connections to get ahead). However, 'occhio di riguardo' sounds much more polite and less 'corrupt'. In many Italian families, there is an 'occhio di riguardo' for the youngest child ('il piccolo di casa') or the elderly, reflecting the culture's deep respect for these age groups. When doing business in Italy, mentioning that you will have an 'occhio di riguardo' for a partner's needs is a sophisticated way to signal that you value the relationship over the transaction.
Use it to be polite
If you want a favor in Italy, don't just ask for it. Say 'Se potesse avere un occhio di riguardo...' It makes the person feel important and more likely to help.
Don't overdo it
If you say you have an 'occhio di riguardo' for everyone, it loses its meaning. It should be reserved for special cases.
Significado
Treating someone with extra care.
Use it to be polite
If you want a favor in Italy, don't just ask for it. Say 'Se potesse avere un occhio di riguardo...' It makes the person feel important and more likely to help.
Don't overdo it
If you say you have an 'occhio di riguardo' for everyone, it loses its meaning. It should be reserved for special cases.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing preposition.
Il direttore ha un occhio di riguardo ____ i clienti fedeli.
The expression 'avere un occhio di riguardo' always takes the preposition 'per'.
Which sentence is the most natural for a hotel manager giving instructions?
Instruction for a VIP guest:
This uses the correct verb (avere/abbi), the correct article (un), and the correct preposition (per).
Match the phrase to the most likely situation.
'Dovresti avere un occhio di riguardo per la tua dieta.'
Having an 'occhio di riguardo' for a diet means paying extra attention to what you eat for health reasons.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Perché il cameriere ti ha portato il vino gratis?' B: 'Perché sono un cliente abituale e...'
This correctly explains the reason for the special treatment.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Avere un occhio vs. Tenere d'occhio
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosIl direttore ha un occhio di riguardo ____ i clienti fedeli.
The expression 'avere un occhio di riguardo' always takes the preposition 'per'.
Instruction for a VIP guest:
This uses the correct verb (avere/abbi), the correct article (un), and the correct preposition (per).
'Dovresti avere un occhio di riguardo per la tua dieta.'
Having an 'occhio di riguardo' for a diet means paying extra attention to what you eat for health reasons.
A: 'Perché il cameriere ti ha portato il vino gratis?' B: 'Perché sono un cliente abituale e...'
This correctly explains the reason for the special treatment.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, 95% of the time it implies kindness, care, or professional excellence. Occasionally, it can imply unfair favoritism, but the tone usually clarifies this.
Absolutely! You can have an 'occhio di riguardo' for the environment, for details, or for your car.
A 'raccomandazione' is often a formal (and sometimes unethical) push to get someone a job. 'Occhio di riguardo' is more about the quality of treatment once you are already there.
No, the idiom is fixed with 'un occhio' (one eye). Using 'due' would sound like a joke or a mistake.
Yes, it's very common in business emails to show that you will prioritize a client's request.
You could use 'fare favoritismi'.
It is common everywhere in Italy, but the culture of 'riguardo' (hospitality/respect) is particularly strong in southern regions.
No, 'dare un occhio di riguardo' is not standard. Use 'avere', 'riservare', or 'mostrare'.
No, that would be 'stare attenti' or 'fare attenzione'.
In this context, 'attenzione' or 'premura' are the closest synonyms.
Frases relacionadas
tenere d'occhio
similarTo keep an eye on someone/something.
trattare con i guanti di velluto
similarTo treat with velvet gloves.
chiudere un occhio
contrastTo close an eye (to ignore a mistake).
avere un debole per
similarTo have a weakness for.
