vi voglio bene a tutti
The English phrase "love you all" is translated into Italian as vi voglio bene a tutti.
This phrase is an expression of affection used to tell a group of people that you care about them.
Which one should you use?
While vi voglio bene a tutti is used for friends and family, vi amo tutti would imply a romantic or much more intense, passionate love, which is rarely used for a general group.
How does it change in a sentence?
The vi in the phrase is the indirect object pronoun meaning "to you (plural)".
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use vi amo to express affection for a group of friends, but in Italian, this sounds inappropriately romantic or overly dramatic.
Did you know?
- The verb volere in vi voglio bene actually means 'to want', making the literal translation 'I want well to you all'.
- When saying vi voglio bene a tutti, Italians often accompany the phrase with a gesture, such as opening their arms wide to physically encompass the group they are addressing.
- The word bene in this phrase is inherited from the Latin bene, which is also the root of English words like 'benefit' and 'benevolent'.
Examples in context
- Vi amo tutti, cari colleghi.I love you all, dear colleagues.
Example conversation
Martina is saying goodbye to her friends and Matteo.
- MartinaÈ stata una giornata bellissima.It has been a beautiful day.
- MatteoSì, spero che lo rifacciamo presto.Yes, I hope we do it again soon.
- MartinaCiao a tutti, vi voglio bene a tutti!Bye everyone, I love you all!
- MatteoAnche noi a te, Martina!We love you too, Martina!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, bene, vi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
