Italian grammar
Devi, non devi + infinitive
Give someone advice about their health.
From the scene Devi riposare (You must rest)
In short
Devi + infinitive = you must; non devi = you mustn't. With Lei: deve.
- you must rest devi riposare
- you must drink devi bere
- you mustn't eat non devi mangiare
- rest (noun) il riposo
Your turn
Which one goes with you must drink?
Options: non devi mangiare · devi bere · devi riposare
Show answer
you must drink → devi bere
How it works
Devi + infinitive (you must / should) gives firm advice to someone you call tu; non devi + infinitive says what they mustn't do. With Lei: deve.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
La signora Elena ha ragione. (blank) riposare.
Clue: Nuria to Javi (tu)
Options: Deve · Devono · Devi
Show answer
La signora Elena ha ragione. Devi riposare.
Signora Elena is right. You must rest.
you must rest devi riposare
Nuria
Devi riposare, Javi.
You must rest, Javi.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), Javi.
Options: Devi riposare · Devi bere · Non devi mangiare
Show answer
Nuria
Devi riposare, Javi.
You must rest, Javi.
you must drink devi bere
Elena
Beh, devi bere molta acqua.
Well, you must drink a lot of water.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Beh, (blank) molta acqua.
Options: devi bere · devi riposare · non devi mangiare
Show answer
Elena
Beh, devi bere molta acqua.
Well, you must drink a lot of water.
you mustn't eat non devi mangiare
Elena
No, no. Non devi mangiare niente oggi.
No, no. You mustn't eat anything today.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
No, no. (blank) niente oggi.
Options: Devi bere · Non devi mangiare · Devi riposare
Show answer
Elena
No, no. Non devi mangiare niente oggi.
No, no. You mustn't eat anything today.
rest (noun) il riposo
Your turn
What goes with il riposo?
Options: you must rest · you must drink · rest (noun)
Show answer
il riposo → rest (noun)
Watch out
Non devi means 'you mustn't', not 'you don't have to' (that's non è necessario).
Common mistake
Not Deve or Devo here. Nuria to Javi (tu).
Devi riposare, Javi.
You must rest, Javi.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| you must rest | devi riposare |
|---|---|
| you must drink | devi bere |
| you mustn't eat | non devi mangiare |
| rest (noun) | il riposo |
More lines from the story
- NuriaLa signora Elena ha ragione. Devi riposare.Signora Elena is right. You must rest.
- JaviVa bene... ma dopo voglio le tapas.OK... but later I want tapas.
- JaviSto malissimo. Non ce la faccio più.I feel awful. I can't take any more.