A2 Collocation خنثی

avere in mente

to have in mind

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use 'avere in mente' when you have a specific plan, idea, or person occupying your thoughts.

  • Means: To have an intention or a specific idea ready to go.
  • Used in: Planning trips, choosing dinner, or thinking about someone special.
  • Don't confuse: With 'ricordare' (to remember) which is about the past.
🧠 + 💡 = 📝 (Thought + Idea = Plan)

Explanation at your level:

In Italian, 'avere in mente' means you are thinking about something right now. You use 'avere' (to have) and 'mente' (mind). It is like saying 'I have an idea'. For example, 'Ho in mente una pizza' means you are thinking about eating pizza. It is very simple and useful for daily life.
At this level, you use 'avere in mente' to talk about your plans. It is often followed by 'di' and a verb. For example: 'Ho in mente di viaggiare'. It shows you are not just thinking, but you have a small plan. You can also use it to say you are thinking about a person you like.
As an intermediate learner, you should distinguish 'avere in mente' from 'pensare'. While 'pensare' is general, 'avere in mente' suggests a specific mental image or a project. It is common in the imperfect tense ('avevo in mente') to explain why you changed your plans. It's a key phrase for describing your intentions in a more natural, idiomatic way.
At the B2 level, 'avere in mente' becomes a tool for nuanced communication. You can use it to describe complex strategies or to express preoccupation. It is often contrasted with 'venire in mente' (sudden realization). You should be comfortable using it in professional settings to describe a vision or a conceptual framework for a project, showing a higher degree of linguistic control.
For advanced learners, 'avere in mente' is analyzed through its cognitive and pragmatic functions. It functions as a stative expression of intentionality. You will notice its use in literature and high-level journalism to denote a persistent ideological or creative focus. Mastery involves understanding the subtle shift in meaning when the word order is changed or when it is used with the subjunctive to influence others' actions.
At the C2 level, you appreciate 'avere in mente' as a manifestation of the 'mind-as-container' metaphor prevalent in Romance languages. You can analyze its role in discourse markers and its ability to frame an entire narrative. You understand the historical continuity from Latin 'mens' and how this phrase interacts with other 'mind' idioms to create a sophisticated map of human consciousness and volition in the Italian linguistic worldview.

معنی

Thinking of a plan or idea.

🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

In the world of 'Made in Italy', 'avere in mente' is used by creators to describe the 'concept' before it becomes a physical object. It highlights the importance of the mental vision in Italian craftsmanship. Italian parents often use this phrase to discuss the future of their children, reflecting a culture that is deeply invested in family planning and legacy. When invited somewhere, saying 'Ho già in mente un impegno' is a polite way to decline without being too specific, maintaining 'bella figura'. In Italian kitchens, the recipe is often 'in mente' rather than written down. Chefs and grandmothers rely on this mental blueprint passed down through generations.

💡

The 'Di' Rule

Always remember to use 'di' if you follow the phrase with a verb. 'Ho in mente di studiare'.

⚠️

Not for Memories

Don't use it to say you remember a name or a date; use 'ricordare' for that.

معنی

Thinking of a plan or idea.

💡

The 'Di' Rule

Always remember to use 'di' if you follow the phrase with a verb. 'Ho in mente di studiare'.

⚠️

Not for Memories

Don't use it to say you remember a name or a date; use 'ricordare' for that.

🎯

Use the Imperfect

Use 'avevo in mente' to explain why you are doing something different now. It sounds very natural.

💬

Romantic Hint

Saying 'Ti ho in mente' is a very sweet, non-aggressive way to show interest.

خودت رو بسنج

Fill in the missing word to complete the plan.

Ho in mente ___ andare al cinema stasera.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: di

The phrase 'avere in mente' is followed by 'di' when followed by a verb.

Which sentence means 'I have an idea'?

Quale frase è corretta?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Ho in mente un'idea.

'Ho in mente' is the standard way to say you have an idea ready.

Complete the dialogue with the correct form of 'avere in mente'.

Giulia: 'Cosa facciamo per il compleanno di mamma?' Paolo: 'Io _________ di organizzarle una festa a sorpresa.'

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: ho in mente

Paolo is speaking about his own plan, so he uses the first person singular.

Match the sentence to the situation.

Sentence: 'Ti ho sempre in mente.'

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: A romantic confession

This phrase is a common way to tell someone you are thinking about them affectionately.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

Avere in mente vs. Venire in mente

Avere in mente (State)
I already have the idea.
Venire in mente (Event)
The idea just hit me.

Common Contexts

👋

Social

  • • Parties
  • • Dates
  • • Outings
💼

Work

  • • Projects
  • • Meetings
  • • Goals

سوالات متداول

14 سوال

Not exactly. 'Pensare' is the general act of thinking. 'Avere in mente' implies you have a specific idea, plan, or image already formed.

Yes, but 'in testa' often sounds more obsessive or like you can't stop thinking about something. 'In mente' is more neutral and common for plans.

If you use a noun, no (Ho in mente un'idea). If you use a verb, use 'di' (Ho in mente di uscire).

It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or with your best friend.

Use 'Mi è venuto in mente'. This describes the moment the idea arrived.

Yes! 'Ti ho in mente' means 'I'm thinking of you'.

'Avere in mente' is about your own plans/thoughts. 'Tenere a mente' is about not forgetting a specific piece of information or advice.

Yes, 'avevo in mente' is very common for describing past intentions.

Absolutely. It's great for discussing projects: 'Abbiamo in mente un nuovo prodotto'.

Only if you say 'Ho in mente che [someone else] faccia qualcosa'. Otherwise, use 'di' + infinitive.

It's better to say 'Ho in mente qualcosa per domani' or 'Ho in mente di fare qualcosa domani'.

Yes, Italian pop music is full of 'avere in mente' because it's very melodic and emotional.

There isn't a direct opposite, but 'non avere idea' or 'avere la mente vuota' (to have an empty mind) are close.

Yes, if you are thinking about going there or imagining it. 'Ho in mente Parigi'.

عبارات مرتبط

🔗

venire in mente

similar

To come to mind / to occur to someone

🔗

tenere a mente

similar

To keep in mind / bear in mind

🔗

passare per la mente

similar

To cross one's mind

🔗

fissarsi in mente

specialized form

To become stuck in one's mind

🔗

avere per la testa

similar

To have on one's mind

کجا استفاده کنیم

🍷

Planning a date

A: Dove andiamo stasera?

B: Ho in mente un piccolo ristorante in centro.

informal
💼

Job Interview

Interviewer: Quali sono i suoi obiettivi?

Candidate: Ho in mente di sviluppare nuove strategie di marketing.

formal
✈️

At the Travel Agency

Agente: Avete già una destinazione?

Cliente: Sì, avevamo in mente la Grecia.

neutral
❤️

Talking to a crush

Lui: Sembri distratta.

Lei: È che ti ho sempre in mente.

informal
🎓

Brainstorming at school

Professore: Qualcuno ha un'idea per la ricerca?

Studente: Io avrei in mente di parlare di Dante.

neutral
🎁

Shopping for a gift

Commesso: Posso aiutarla?

Cliente: Cerco un orologio, ho in mente un modello classico.

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Avere' (to have) and 'Mente' (Mind). You 'Have' an idea 'In' your 'Mind' like a physical object in a box.

Visual Association

Imagine a lightbulb (an idea) sitting inside a transparent human head. The lightbulb is the 'cosa' you 'have in mente'.

Rhyme

Se un piano vuoi creare, 'avere in mente' devi usare.

Story

Marco wants to surprise his girlfriend. He doesn't just 'think' (pensare), he has a specific plan. He tells his friend, 'Ho in mente una sorpresa'. He sees the restaurant and the flowers in his mind before they exist.

Word Web

mentepensieroideaprogettointenzionepianomemoriariflessione

چالش

Try to say three things you 'have in mente' for your next weekend using the pattern 'Ho in mente di...'.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Tener en mente

Spanish often uses 'tener pensado' for plans, which is slightly more common than 'tener en mente' for actions.

French high

Avoir en tête

The use of 'head' makes it feel slightly more physical than the Italian 'mind'.

German moderate

Etwas im Sinn haben

German can also mean 'to be up to something' (often mischievous), which Italian doesn't necessarily imply.

Japanese partial

念頭に置く (Nentō ni oku)

It is much more formal and often used for 'keeping something in mind' as a reminder.

Arabic high

في بالي (Fi bali)

It drops the verb 'to have' and just uses the prepositional phrase.

Chinese low

心目中 (Xīnmùzhōng)

It is more about an internal standard or image than a concrete plan for the future.

Korean moderate

염두에 두다 (Yeomdue duda)

Like Japanese, it uses 'to put/keep' and is slightly more formal than the Italian version.

Portuguese high

Ter em mente

In Brazil, 'estar pensando em' is more common for casual plans.

Easily Confused

avere in mente در مقابل Ricordarsi

Learners use 'avere in mente' to mean 'I remember a fact'.

Use 'ricordarsi' for the past and 'avere in mente' for current plans or focus.

avere in mente در مقابل Pensare a

Both involve thinking, but 'pensare a' is more general.

'Avere in mente' is better for specific plans or intentions.

سوالات متداول (14)

Not exactly. 'Pensare' is the general act of thinking. 'Avere in mente' implies you have a specific idea, plan, or image already formed.

Yes, but 'in testa' often sounds more obsessive or like you can't stop thinking about something. 'In mente' is more neutral and common for plans.

If you use a noun, no (Ho in mente un'idea). If you use a verb, use 'di' (Ho in mente di uscire).

It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or with your best friend.

Use 'Mi è venuto in mente'. This describes the moment the idea arrived.

Yes! 'Ti ho in mente' means 'I'm thinking of you'.

'Avere in mente' is about your own plans/thoughts. 'Tenere a mente' is about not forgetting a specific piece of information or advice.

Yes, 'avevo in mente' is very common for describing past intentions.

Absolutely. It's great for discussing projects: 'Abbiamo in mente un nuovo prodotto'.

Only if you say 'Ho in mente che [someone else] faccia qualcosa'. Otherwise, use 'di' + infinitive.

It's better to say 'Ho in mente qualcosa per domani' or 'Ho in mente di fare qualcosa domani'.

Yes, Italian pop music is full of 'avere in mente' because it's very melodic and emotional.

There isn't a direct opposite, but 'non avere idea' or 'avere la mente vuota' (to have an empty mind) are close.

Yes, if you are thinking about going there or imagining it. 'Ho in mente Parigi'.

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