A volte ci si aspetta troppo da un amico, rischiando di rimanere delusi.

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Breakdown of A volte ci si aspetta troppo da un amico, rischiando di rimanere delusi.

• l'amico: the friend
• a volte: sometimes
• troppo: too
• aspettarsi: to expect
• rischiare: to risk
• di: to
• rimanere: to remain
• deluso: disappointed

Questions & Answers about A volte ci si aspetta troppo da un amico, rischiando di rimanere delusi.

What does A volte mean in this sentence?

It means "sometimes," indicating that the situation described happens on occasion rather than all the time.

Why is the verb expressed as ci si aspetta instead of just aspettava or si aspetta?

The phrase ci si aspetta comes from the pronominal verb aspettarsi (to expect). In Italian, many verbs use a reflexive form to express a general or impersonal subject. Here, si serves as the reflexive marker representing an unspecified subject—much like saying "one expects" or "people expect." The additional ci is part of the fixed formulation of this idiomatic expression, and while it might not have a direct equivalent in English, it helps complete the impersonal construction.

What role does troppo play in the sentence?

Troppo means "too much" and modifies the expectation. It indicates that the level of expectation placed upon a friend is excessive.

How does the prepositional phrase da un amico function here?

Da un amico translates as "from a friend" and identifies the source of the expectation. It shows that the high hopes or demands are directed toward a friend.

What is the function of the gerund rischiando in the sentence?

Rischiando is the gerund form of "rischiare" (to risk). It functions to explain the consequence of having excessive expectations—namely, that by expecting too much, one is risking the possibility of remaining disappointed. It connects the cause (over-expectation) with its potential effect.

Why does the sentence use an impersonal construction rather than specifying a subject?

Using the impersonal construction with si makes the statement more general and universally applicable. It’s similar to saying "one expects" or "people tend to expect" in English. This way, the sentence conveys a common human experience rather than pointing to a specific person, making the observation relatable to a broader audience.