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Di solito ci metto dieci minuti ad arrivare in ufficio.

Di solito ci metto dieci minuti ad arrivare in ufficio.
Usually it takes me ten minutes to get to the office.
FromLesson 57inHardcore Italian

Questions & Answers about Di solito ci metto dieci minuti ad arrivare in ufficio.

In ci metto, what does ci mean? Is it “there”?

Here, ci is part of the pronominal verb metterci, which means “to take (time).” It does not mean “there,” and it doesn’t point to any place. Without ci, the sentence would be ungrammatical for this meaning.

  • Correct: Ci metto dieci minuti a finire. = It takes me 10 minutes to finish.
  • Wrong: Metto dieci minuti a finire. (sounds like “I put 10 minutes”) Note: The standalone verb mettere means “to put,” but metterci is a set expression for time taken by someone.
What’s the difference between metterci and volerci for talking about time?
  • Metterci focuses on the person doing the action (subject is the person):
    • Io ci metto dieci minuti ad arrivare. = I personally take 10 minutes.
  • Volerci is impersonal and focuses on the time required in general:
    • Ci vogliono dieci minuti per arrivare. = Ten minutes are needed (in general).
    • Use ci vuole for singular time (e.g., un minuto, un’ora) and ci vogliono for plurals (e.g., due minuti).
Why ad arrivare? Can I say a arrivare or per arrivare?
  • With metterci, the standard pattern is: metterci + [time] + a + infinitive.
  • Before a word starting with “a,” Italian usually uses the euphonic ad: ad arrivare. You’ll also hear a arrivare, but ad arrivare is the smooth, standard choice.
  • Per arrivare is possible, but with metterci Italians typically prefer a. You’ll more often see per with volerci or impiegare:
    • Ci vogliono dieci minuti per arrivare.
    • Impiego dieci minuti per arrivare.
Why in ufficio and not all’ufficio?
  • In ufficio is the idiomatic choice when talking about going/being at your workplace: arrivare in ufficio, essere in ufficio, andare in ufficio.
  • All’ufficio (a + l’ufficio) can appear when you’re emphasizing the building as a physical point or a specific office, e.g., all’ufficio postale, di fronte all’ufficio. But for the everyday idea of “to/at the office (workplace),” in ufficio is preferred.
  • A natural alternative is al lavoro (to work): arrivare al lavoro.
Where can I put di solito in the sentence?
  • Most natural: at the beginning: Di solito ci metto…
  • Also fine after the subject: Io di solito ci metto…
  • You can place it mid-sentence, but it’s less common: Ci metto di solito dieci minuti…
  • At the very end is possible in speech for emphasis, but sounds less neutral: Ci metto dieci minuti, di solito.
Can I include or omit the subject pronoun io?

Yes. Italian is a “pro‑drop” language:

  • Neutral: Ci metto dieci minuti…
  • With emphasis or contrast: Io ci metto dieci minuti… (e.g., …ma lei ci mette venti.)
How do I say this in the past or future?
  • Past (one specific time): Ieri ci ho messo dieci minuti ad arrivare in ufficio.
  • Past habitual: Da giovane ci mettevo dieci minuti…
  • Future: Domani ci metterò dieci minuti…
  • Negative: Non ci metterò molto. / Non ci ho messo molto.
Where does ci go with modal verbs (potere, dovere, volere) or longer verb chains?

It can go either before the conjugated verb or attach to the infinitive:

  • Ci posso mettere dieci minuti. / Posso metterci dieci minuti.
  • Ci devo mettere più tempo. / Devo metterci più tempo.
  • In compound tenses it goes before the auxiliary: Ci ho messo un’ora.
  • With negation: Non ci metto molto. / Non ci voglio mettere troppo tempo.
Can I just say metto dieci minuti without ci?

No. For “it takes me …” with mettere, you must use the pronominal form metterci:

  • Correct: Ci metto dieci minuti…
  • Alternatives without mettere: Impiego dieci minuti… / Ci vogliono dieci minuti…
Can I say arrivarci instead of ad arrivare in ufficio? Why are there sometimes two ci’s?

Yes. If the destination is understood, you can use arrivarci (“to get there”):

  • Per arrivarci, ci metto dieci minuti. In that sentence the two ci mean different things:
  • The ci attached to arrivarci = “there” (locative).
  • The ci in ci metto = part of metterci “to take (time).”
Is impiegare a good synonym here?

Yes, it’s a neutral/formal alternative:

  • Di solito impiego dieci minuti per arrivare in ufficio. Other options:
  • Ci vogliono dieci minuti per arrivare in ufficio. (impersonal)
  • More formal: Occorrono dieci minuti per arrivare in ufficio.
How do I ask this as a question?
  • Quanto ci metti ad arrivare in ufficio?
  • Variations: Quanto tempo ci metti…? / Ci metti molto a…?
  • Past: Quanto ci hai messo ad arrivare…?
  • Future: Quanto ci metterai ad arrivare…?
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