Mi raccomando
Please do
Phrase in 30 Seconds
A powerful way to say 'I'm counting on you' or 'Don't forget' while adding emotional weight to your request.
- Means: 'I'm counting on you' or 'Please make sure to do this'.
- Used in: Giving advice, reminding someone of a task, or expressing concern.
- Don't confuse: It is not used for recommending a restaurant or a book.
Explanation at your level:
뜻
Strongly encouraging someone.
문화적 배경
The phrase is often accompanied by the 'pinched fingers' gesture (hand purse) moved slightly toward the listener to emphasize the importance of the request. In the south, 'mi raccomando' can take on a more protective, almost paternalistic tone, often used by elders to younger family members as a form of blessing and warning. Even in professional settings, 'mi raccomando' is used to build a sense of shared responsibility, moving away from a cold 'boss-employee' dynamic to a more 'team-oriented' one. Many Italian-Americans or Italian-Australians still use the phrase even if they've lost much of the language, as it carries a specific emotional weight that 'I'm counting on you' doesn't quite reach.
The 'Eh' Factor
Add a short 'eh' at the end ('Mi raccomando, eh!') to sound 100% more like a native speaker.
Not for Menus
Never use this when ordering food. It sounds like you're threatening the chef!
뜻
Strongly encouraging someone.
The 'Eh' Factor
Add a short 'eh' at the end ('Mi raccomando, eh!') to sound 100% more like a native speaker.
Not for Menus
Never use this when ordering food. It sounds like you're threatening the chef!
Eye Contact
When saying 'mi raccomando,' maintain eye contact. It shows you are serious about the trust you are placing in the other person.
셀프 테스트
Complete the sentence with the correct phrase to emphasize the request.
Non dimenticare le chiavi, ________!
'Mi raccomando' is the best choice here to add emphasis to a reminder.
Match the situation to the most appropriate use of 'mi raccomando'.
You are telling your friend to drive safely in the rain.
This is the classic 'warning/care' sense of the phrase.
Choose the best response to complete the dialogue.
A: 'Ci vediamo alle 8 davanti al cinema.' B: 'Va bene, ________!'
The speaker is reminding the other person to be there on time.
Which of these is a grammatically correct way to use the phrase with a verb?
Select the correct option:
'Mi raccomando' is followed by 'di' + infinitive.
🎉 점수: /4
시각 학습 자료
Mi Raccomando vs. Consigliare
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Yes, but only if you are giving them a specific instruction or warning that is helpful to them, like 'Be careful on the stairs.'
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend, though the tone of voice will change.
No, it can go at the beginning or even in the middle, but the end is the most common for emphasis.
'Per favore' is a polite request. 'Mi raccomando' is a reminder that adds a sense of urgency or personal reliance.
Yes, but it means 'I entrust [something] to you,' like 'Ti raccomando mio figlio' (I entrust my son to you).
Technically 'ci raccomandiamo,' but it's very rare. Even a group of people will usually just say 'mi raccomando' as a fixed phrase.
The 'eh' acts as a tag question, like 'okay?' or 'right?', making the request more interactive.
Yes, it's very common in work emails to emphasize a deadline or a specific task.
Only in the sense of 'recommending a course of action.' For recommending a movie, use 'consigliare'.
Not at all, as long as the context is appropriate. It usually shows care and concern.
관련 표현
Ci conto
similarI'm counting on it.
Fai il bravo
similarBe good.
Stai attento
similarBe careful.
Consigliare
contrastTo recommend/advise.
어디서 쓸까?
Leaving a child with a babysitter
Genitore: Deve andare a letto alle otto, mi raccomando!
Babysitter: Certo, non si preoccupi.
Giving directions to a tourist
Locale: Gira a destra dopo il bar, mi raccomando, non andare dritto!
Turista: Grazie mille, starò attento.
Ending a phone call with a friend
Amico A: Ci vediamo domani alle sette. Mi raccomando, eh!
Amico B: Sì, sì, sarò puntualissimo.
At the doctor's office
Dottore: Prenda queste pillole ogni mattina. Mi raccomando alla costanza.
Paziente: Lo farò sicuramente, dottore.
Asking a favor from a colleague
Collega A: Puoi controllare questa email prima di inviarla? Mi raccomando.
Collega B: Nessun problema, le do un'occhiata subito.
Warning someone about the weather
Nonna: Prendi l'ombrello che piove. Mi raccomando!
Nipote: Sì nonna, l'ho già preso.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Me Recommend' — I am recommending to myself that YOU do this!
Visual Association
Imagine a friendly Italian grandmother pointing a finger (not aggressively, but firmly) while smiling and saying 'Mi raccomando' as you walk out the door.
Rhyme
Se una cosa vuoi che sia fatta a comando, aggiungi sempre 'Mi raccomando'!
Story
Marco is going to Rome. His mom gives him a list of things to do: see the Colosseum, eat pasta, and call home. After every item, she says 'Mi raccomando!' Marco realizes this isn't just a list; it's a mission he's been entrusted with.
Word Web
챌린지
Try to use 'Mi raccomando' at the end of three different requests today, even if you're speaking English, just to get used to the 'weight' it adds.
In Other Languages
Te lo encargo / Ojo
Spanish uses two different phrases for the two main senses of 'mi raccomando'.
Je compte sur toi
French is less versatile as a general interjection.
Ich verlasse mich auf dich
German feels more like a serious statement than a casual nudge.
よろしくお願いします (Yoroshiku onegaishimasu)
Japanese is much more formal and used in a wider range of social introductions.
أمانتك (Amantak)
Arabic focuses more on the moral obligation of the trust.
拜托了 (Bàituōle)
Chinese is used more for favors and less for general warnings like 'be careful'.
부탁해 (Butak-hae)
Korean requires different levels of politeness (honorifics) which Italian doesn't for this phrase.
Vê lá hein / Conto com você
Portuguese uses 'Vê lá' more as a warning than a general reminder.
Easily Confused
Learners use it to suggest a place to eat because of the English 'recommend'.
Use 'consigliare' for suggestions and 'mi raccomando' for reminders/warnings.
Learners confuse the reflexive 'mi' with the object 'ti'.
'Mi raccomando' is the fixed expression. 'Ti raccomando' means 'I entrust [something] to you'.
자주 묻는 질문 (10)
Yes, but only if you are giving them a specific instruction or warning that is helpful to them, like 'Be careful on the stairs.'
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend, though the tone of voice will change.
No, it can go at the beginning or even in the middle, but the end is the most common for emphasis.
'Per favore' is a polite request. 'Mi raccomando' is a reminder that adds a sense of urgency or personal reliance.
Yes, but it means 'I entrust [something] to you,' like 'Ti raccomando mio figlio' (I entrust my son to you).
Technically 'ci raccomandiamo,' but it's very rare. Even a group of people will usually just say 'mi raccomando' as a fixed phrase.
The 'eh' acts as a tag question, like 'okay?' or 'right?', making the request more interactive.
Yes, it's very common in work emails to emphasize a deadline or a specific task.
Only in the sense of 'recommending a course of action.' For recommending a movie, use 'consigliare'.
Not at all, as long as the context is appropriate. It usually shows care and concern.
