Signification
Following someone's advice.
Contexte culturel
In Italian families, 'dare retta' is a fundamental concept of respect. Children are expected to 'dare retta' to their parents and grandparents, and ignoring advice is often seen as a personal slight rather than just a mistake. In Rome and the South, you might hear 'Stammi a senti'' or 'Dammi retta' with a very strong emphasis. In the North, the expression is equally common but might be used in a slightly more reserved way in professional settings. There are many traditional Italian superstitions where one is told to 'dare retta' to certain signs or omens (like not putting a hat on a bed). On Italian social media, 'Non dare retta ai troll' (Don't listen to trolls) is a common piece of advice, showing how the idiom has adapted to the internet age.
Use the Apocope
To sound more like a native, drop the final 'e' in 'dare' when it's in the infinitive: 'È meglio dar retta'.
Double the M
When combining 'dai' and 'mi', remember it becomes 'Dammi' with two Ms. This is a common spelling mistake.
Signification
Following someone's advice.
Use the Apocope
To sound more like a native, drop the final 'e' in 'dare' when it's in the infinitive: 'È meglio dar retta'.
Double the M
When combining 'dai' and 'mi', remember it becomes 'Dammi' with two Ms. This is a common spelling mistake.
The 'I told you so'
Italians often use 'Se mi avessi dato retta...' as a way of saying 'I told you so'. Use it sparingly to avoid sounding annoying!
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'dare retta' and the appropriate pronoun.
Se tu (ascoltare me) ________, non avresti fatto quell'errore.
This is a third-type conditional sentence (past regret), so we use the trapassato congiuntivo.
Which sentence is the most natural way to tell a friend to ignore gossip?
Quale frase è corretta?
The idiom does not use an article and requires the preposition 'a'.
Complete the dialogue with the correct imperative form.
A: 'Non so cosa fare...' B: '________ (listen to me), vai a parlare con lui.'
The imperative 'Dai' + 'mi' becomes 'Dammi' with a double 'm'.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Ascoltare vs. Dare Retta
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesSe tu (ascoltare me) ________, non avresti fatto quell'errore.
This is a third-type conditional sentence (past regret), so we use the trapassato congiuntivo.
Quale frase è corretta?
The idiom does not use an article and requires the preposition 'a'.
A: 'Non so cosa fare...' B: '________ (listen to me), vai a parlare con lui.'
The imperative 'Dai' + 'mi' becomes 'Dammi' with a double 'm'.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's neutral. However, 'Dammi retta!' can be forceful depending on your tone.
Usually no, it's for people, advice, or instincts. You don't 'dare retta' to a book, but you can 'dare retta' to what a book says.
'Ubbidire' is 'to obey' (like a soldier or a dog). 'Dare retta' is more about choosing to follow advice.
Yes, it's more emphatic than 'darmi retta'.
It's better for emails and stories. For formal reports, use 'seguire le indicazioni'.
Use 'Non dargli retta'.
Etymologically yes (straight/right), but in modern Italian 'retta' as a noun only means a straight line or this idiom.
Yes, it is a standard Italian expression used from North to South.
Yes: 'Gli darò retta' (I will listen to him).
'Ignorare' or 'fare di testa propria' (to do one's own thing).
Expressions liées
dare ascolto
synonymTo give ear/listen
fare caso
similarTo notice/pay attention
stare a sentire
similarTo listen to what is being said
seguire a ruota
builds onTo follow closely
andare dritto
contrastTo go straight
