A1 Collocation ニュートラル

a spese proprie

At one's own expense

意味

Paying for oneself.

🌍

文化的背景

In Italy, there is a strong social expectation of 'offrire' (treating others). Paying 'a spese proprie' in a group setting can sometimes be seen as a sign of a 'braccino corto' (stingy person) if it was expected that someone would treat the group, or a sign of extreme independence. Italian labor laws are strict. If an employee is forced to pay 'a spese proprie' for something work-related that should be covered, it is often a point of major legal contention. Many famous Italian authors, including Italo Svevo, originally published their masterpieces 'a spese proprie' because publishers rejected them. This has given the phrase a romanticized 'underdog' connotation in the arts. The phrase is a 'hot button' term in Italian politics. Voters are very sensitive to 'spese pazze' (crazy spending) by politicians, and demanding they pay 'a spese proprie' is a common protest cry.

💡

The 'Pocket' Alternative

If you want to sound more like a native in a bar or shop, use 'di tasca mia' instead of 'a spese proprie'.

⚠️

Plural Only!

Never say 'a spesa propria'. It sounds very wrong to an Italian ear. Always pluralize 'spese'.

意味

Paying for oneself.

💡

The 'Pocket' Alternative

If you want to sound more like a native in a bar or shop, use 'di tasca mia' instead of 'a spese proprie'.

⚠️

Plural Only!

Never say 'a spesa propria'. It sounds very wrong to an Italian ear. Always pluralize 'spese'.

🎯

The Lesson Learned

Use 'Ho imparato a mie spese' when you want to show humility or that you've gained wisdom from a failure.

自分をテスト

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase.

Non preoccuparti, pago io il caffè a ___ ___.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: b

Since the speaker says 'pago io' (I pay), the possessive should be 'mie' (my).

Which sentence uses the phrase metaphorically?

Choose the correct option:

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: b

Option B refers to learning a lesson (the fire burns), which is a figurative use.

Match the Italian phrase with its English equivalent.

Match the following:

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: A mie spese -> At my expense; A tue spese -> At your expense; A sue spese -> At his/her expense; A spese proprie -> At one's own expense

The possessive adjective determines whose expense it is.

Complete the dialogue.

A: 'Chi paga per la riparazione?' B: 'L'ho rotta io, quindi lo faccio ___ ___.'

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: b

The speaker is talking about themselves ('L'ho rotta io'), so 'a mie spese' is the most natural fit.

🎉 スコア: /4

ビジュアル学習ツール

Formal vs Informal

Formal
A spese proprie At own expense
Informal
Di tasca propria Out of pocket

練習問題バンク

4 問題
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase. Fill Blank A1

Non preoccuparti, pago io il caffè a ___ ___.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: b

Since the speaker says 'pago io' (I pay), the possessive should be 'mie' (my).

Which sentence uses the phrase metaphorically? Choose B1

Choose the correct option:

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: b

Option B refers to learning a lesson (the fire burns), which is a figurative use.

Match the Italian phrase with its English equivalent. Match A2

左の各項目を右のペアと一致させてください:

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: A mie spese -> At my expense; A tue spese -> At your expense; A sue spese -> At his/her expense; A spese proprie -> At one's own expense

The possessive adjective determines whose expense it is.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion A2

A: 'Chi paga per la riparazione?' B: 'L'ho rotta io, quindi lo faccio ___ ___.'

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: b

The speaker is talking about themselves ('L'ho rotta io'), so 'a mie spese' is the most natural fit.

🎉 スコア: /4

よくある質問

10 問

Yes, but it sounds a bit formal. For a coffee, 'pago io' is more common.

Yes, in the context of projects or education, it translates directly to 'self-funded'.

Because it must agree with the feminine plural noun 'spese'.

No, you must use the possessive adjective: 'a mie spese'.

Yes, it is very common in contracts to define who is responsible for specific costs.

'A spese proprie' is more neutral/formal; 'di tasca propria' is more informal/idiomatic.

Usually, but metaphorically it can involve time, effort, or emotional suffering.

You say 'a tue spese'.

Very common, especially when discussing government spending or legal restitution.

No, for that you use 'a spese altrui' or 'a spese degli altri'.

関連フレーズ

🔄

di tasca propria

synonym

Out of one's own pocket

🔗

a spese di qualcuno

similar

At someone else's expense

🔗

fare la spesa

builds on

To go grocery shopping

🔗

spese folli

specialized form

Crazy/extravagant spending

🔗

rimborso spese

contrast

Expense reimbursement

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