ce la puoi fare
The English phrase "you got this" can be translated into Italian as ce la puoi fare.
This expression is used to encourage someone and tell them that they are capable of succeeding. You might also use the phrase Sei capace, ce la farai di sicuro! to say "You are capable, you will definitely make it!" In many encouraging contexts, Italians will precede or follow the phrase with the interjection dai! to add emphasis, which translates to "come on!"
Which one should you use?
While ce la puoi fare emphasizes the potential or ability (you can do it), the shorter phrase ce la fai is often used to mean "you are managing" or "you are succeeding" in the moment.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Roman dialect, the word Daje! is used to mean "Let's go!" or "You got this!"
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase ce la puoi fare uses the informal second-person singular tu form. If you are addressing a person formally (Lei), you must change the verb to ce la può fare. To encourage a group of people, use the plural form ce la potete fare.
Did you know?
- The feminine pronoun la in this expression is not actually referring to a specific feminine noun, but is a fossilized part of a pronominal verb construction used to indicate achievement.
- The word dai used for encouragement is actually a form of the verb dare, which means 'to give'.
- If you use the Roman slang Daje! to mean 'you got this', you are using a word that originally comes from the verb 'dare', meaning 'to give'.
Examples in context
- Non preoccuparti, ce la puoi fare!Don't worry, you can do it!
- Sei molto preparata, ce la puoi fare.You are very well prepared, you've got this.
Example conversation
Matteo is nervous before a big presentation at work.
- GiuliaSei molto bravo, Matteo.You are very good, Matteo.
- MatteoGrazie, ma sono molto nervoso.Thanks, but I am very nervous.
- GiuliaTranquillo, ce la puoi fare!Calm down, you got this!
- MatteoSpero sia vero, grazie Giulia.I hope that's true, thanks Giulia.
