riuscire a + Infinitive
'Riuscire A' + Infinitive (To Manage to)
Riuscire a + infinitive is the standard Italian way to say 'to manage to' or 'to succeed in.' It focuses on the outcome of an action rather than just the possibility of doing it.
How It Works
1. Meaning and Usage
Riuscire a is used when you want to emphasize that you successfully did something, often despite an obstacle. In the negative (non riuscire a), it indicates that you are unable to achieve the result, even if you want to. For example, 'Non riesco a dormire' means 'I can't manage to sleep' (perhaps due to noise), whereas 'Non posso dormire' might mean 'I am not allowed to sleep.'
2. Conjugation and Vowel Shift
The verb is irregular in the present tense, featuring a u/e vowel shift. The stem is riesc- when the stress is on the root and riusc- when the stress is on the ending:
- Io riesco
- Tu riesci
- Lui/Lei riesce
- Noi riusciamo
- Voi riuscite
- Loro riescono
3. Compound Tenses
In tenses like the passato prossimo, riuscire always takes the auxiliary essere. This means the past participle must agree in gender and number with the subject: Sono riuscito (masc.) / Sono riuscita (fem.).
4. The Preposition 'a'
You must always use the preposition a before the infinitive. If the following word starts with a vowel (especially 'a'), you may use the euphonic ad (e.g., riesco ad andare), though simple a is also common in modern Italian.
5. Using 'ci'
To say 'I can manage [it]' without repeating the action, Italians use the particle ci: Non ci riesco (I can't manage it/to do it).
Examples (4)
- Non riesco a trovare le mie chiavi.
I can't manage to find my keys.
Word by Word: Not I-manage to to-find the my keys.
Uses the present tense 'riesco' to show a current inability to achieve the result of finding the keys.
- Siamo riusciti a finire il lavoro in tempo.
We managed to finish the work on time.
Word by Word: We-are managed to to-finish the work in time.
In the past tense, 'riuscire' uses 'essere' as an auxiliary. Note the plural agreement 'riusciti'.
- Se studi molto, riuscirai a superare l'esame.
If you study a lot, you will succeed in passing the exam.
Word by Word: If you-study much, you-will-manage to to-pass the exam.
The future tense 'riuscirai' expresses a predicted successful outcome.
- Non ci riesco, è troppo difficile!
I can't do it, it's too difficult!
Word by Word: Not [it] I-manage, is too difficult!
The particle 'ci' replaces the entire 'a + action' phrase mentioned previously.
Common Mistakes
Omitting the preposition 'a' before the infinitive.
Non riesco capire la lezione.Non riesco a capire la lezione.Unlike modal verbs like 'potere', 'riuscire' always requires the preposition 'a' to connect to another verb.
Using 'avere' instead of 'essere' in compound tenses.
Ho riuscito a chiamare Maria.Sono riuscito a chiamare Maria.Riuscire is an intransitive verb of outcome/result and must use 'essere' as its auxiliary.
Forgetting the vowel shift in the present tense.
Io riuscio a parlare bene.Io riesco a parlare bene.The stem changes from 'riusc-' to 'riesc-' when the stress falls on the root (io, tu, lui/lei, loro).
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn 'riuscire a + infinito', you first need to understand how Italian verbs can be followed by an infinitive. You must also be familiar with the use of the preposition 'a' as a connector and know that 'riuscire' uses 'essere' in compound tenses (like the passato prossimo) to correctly express having managed to do something in the past.
- Verb + Infinitive
Understanding the general structure of a main verb followed by an infinitive is the foundation for this specific construction.
Level 1 - Simple Prepositions
The pattern requires the use of the preposition 'a' to link the conjugated verb 'riuscire' to the following infinitive.
Level 1 - essere + Past ParticiplePresent Perfect with 'Essere'
Since 'riuscire' is an intransitive verb of success/movement, it requires 'essere' as an auxiliary in compound tenses, which is common when using this pattern.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- potere / dovere / volereModal Verbs (Potere, Dovere, Volere)
Potere also means 'can', but refers to possibility or permission, while riuscire refers to the actual ability to succeed.
Level 1 - sapere / conoscereSapere vs. Conoscere
Sapere is used for learned skills (knowing how to do something), whereas riuscire is used for the successful execution of an action in a specific context.
Level 1 - farcela'Farcela' (To Manage/make It)
Farcela is a more idiomatic, emphatic way to say 'to make it' or 'to pull it off' without necessarily using an infinitive.
Level 4 - uscire / venire / direIrregular Presente: Uscire, Venire, Dire
Riuscire follows the same irregular conjugation pattern and vowel shifts as the verb 'uscire'.
Level 1 - ci (con verbi)Idiomatic 'Ci' with Verbs (Crederci, Pensarci, Riuscirci)
Explains how the particle 'ci' is used idiomatically with 'riuscire' to mean 'to manage it'.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Sources
Practice riuscire a + Infinitive in Bubblegum
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