Learn Italian: Purtroppo gli imprevisti capitano. - Unfortunately, unexpected events happen.

Purtroppo gli imprevisti capitano.

Unfortunately, unexpected events happen.

Breakdown of Purtroppo gli imprevisti capitano.

purtroppo

unfortunately

l'imprevisto

the unexpected event (m)

capitare

to happen (by chance), to come up

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Questions & Answers about Purtroppo gli imprevisti capitano.

Where does the word imprevisti come from?

It is built from the prefix im- (meaning un- or not) and previsto (foreseen). Previsto is the past participle of the verb prevedere (to foresee). So un imprevisto literally translates to an unforeseen thing.

Is imprevisto a noun or an adjective?

It can be both! In this sentence, it has the plural article gli in front of it, so it is acting as a noun meaning unexpected events. You can also use it as a descriptive adjective, for example: un problema imprevisto (an unexpected problem).

Why use capitare here instead of succedere for to happen?

Both capitare and succedere mean to happen and are usually interchangeable. Capitare slightly emphasizes that something happens by chance, luck, or coincidence, which fits perfectly with unexpected events.

What auxiliary verb does capitare use in the passato prossimo?

Like many verbs that describe an event happening or a change of state, capitare uses the auxiliary verb essere. To say Unexpected events happened in the past tense, you would say: Gli imprevisti sono capitati.