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non dirlo a nessuno
/non ˈdir.lo a nesˈsuː.no/
don't tell anyone
Non dirlo a nessuno, è un segreto!
Don't tell anyone, it's a secret!
informal
A request to keep information confidential by not sharing it with others.
Promettimi che non lo dirai a nessuno.
Promise me you won't tell anyone.
Non dirlo a nessuno di quello che è successo ieri.
Don't tell anyone about what happened yesterday.
Commonly used in both spoken and written Italian to emphasize secrecy.
Collocations
non dirlo a nessunodon't tell anyonegiura di non dirlo a nessunoswear not to tell anyone
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Cultural Context
In Italian culture, secrecy is often emphasized in social interactions, especially among friends and family. This phrase reflects the importance of trust and discretion in interpersonal relationships.
Gold Rule
Usage Rule
Always use 'non dirlo a nessuno' when you want to explicitly ask someone to keep information secret. Avoid using it in professional settings where formal language is required.
Word Origin
The phrase is a direct construction in Italian: 'non' (not) + 'dirlo' (to tell it) + 'a nessuno' (to anyone). It evolved naturally from the imperative form of the verb 'dire' (to say/tell) combined with the negative pronoun 'nessuno' (no one).
Usage Notes
This phrase is used in both formal and informal contexts but is most common in everyday speech. It is often accompanied by gestures like placing a finger over the lips for emphasis.
Word Breakdown
non
not
adverbdirlo
to tell it
verb (infinitive + pronoun)a nessuno
to anyone
prepositional phraseDizionario Italiano-Inglese