Learn Hardcore Italian: Però non tutti sono onesti, quindi devi valutare attentamente prima di fidarti. - But not everyone is honest, so you must carefully assess before trusting.

"Però" translates to "but" or "however." It introduces a contrast or exception to a previous idea, setting up the context for the caution that follows.

How should I understand the phrase "non tutti sono onesti"?

This phrase means "not all are honest." It is constructed with: • "Non" (not) negating "tutti" (all/everyone), and
• "sono onesti" (are honest) where "sono" is the third-person plural form of the verb "essere" (to be) and "onesti" means honest.
It emphasizes that honesty isn’t a universal trait among people.

What role does "quindi" play in the sentence?

"Quindi" means "therefore" or "so." It connects the first part of the sentence (the observation about people's honesty) with the advice that follows, indicating a logical consequence: because not everyone can be trusted, you need to be cautious.

Could you break down the phrase "devi valutare attentamente prima di fidarti"?

Certainly. This part translates to "you must carefully evaluate before trusting." Here’s the breakdown: • "Devi" means "you must" or "have to," showing obligation. • "Valutare attentamente" means "to evaluate carefully," with "valutare" as the verb "to evaluate" and "attentamente" as the adverb "carefully." • "Prima di fidarti" means "before trusting."
In the final segment, the verb "fidarti" is the infinitive form of "fidarsi" (to trust) combined with the reflexive pronoun "ti," indicating that this act of trusting is directed towards someone (or implying caution about whom you decide to trust).

Why is "fidarti" written as one word with an attached pronoun, and is this a common feature in Italian?

Yes, it is a common feature. In Italian, many verbs are reflexive, meaning they include a pronoun that reflects the subject’s involvement in the action. "Fidarsi" means "to trust," and when using the modal verb "devi" (you must), the following verb remains in the infinitive. Instead of placing the pronoun before the verb as in some languages, Italian often attaches it to the end of the infinitive—resulting in "fidarti." This is a standard construction when using modal verbs with reflexive infinitives.