Italian Phrase
Lo sistemo tra poco.
Meaning
This phrase uses the highly versatile Italian verb 'sistemare', which can mean to fix, organize, or arrange. The pronoun 'lo' refers to a masculine singular noun or a general situation previously mentioned. It conveys a promise to complete a task after a short delay.
When to use
Use this when someone asks you to address a mess, a technical problem, or an administrative task that you aren't doing right this second. It is perfect for casual household chores or professional follow-ups.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Losistemotrapoco
Direct Object Pronoun
'Lo' is a masculine singular pronoun meaning 'it'. In Italian, it is placed before the conjugated verb.
Present Tense for Future
While 'sistemo' is present tense, Italian often uses the present to express actions that will happen in the immediate future.
Tra vs Fra
'Tra' and 'fra' are interchangeable prepositions used to indicate a point in time in the future.
🗨In Conversation
Puoi mettere in ordine i documenti sulla scrivania?
Can you organize the documents on the desk?
Certo, non ti preoccupare, lo sistemo tra poco.
Sure, don't worry, I'll tidy it up in a little while.
✕Common Mistakes
Lo sistemo in poco.
When expressing 'in a certain amount of time', Italian uses 'tra' or 'fra', not 'in'.
Sistemo lo tra poco.
Direct object pronouns like 'lo' must precede the conjugated verb in this context.
↔Alternatives
Lo faccio subito.
I'll do it right away.
Ci penso io tra un attimo.
I'll take care of it in a moment.
Cultural Tip
The verb 'sistemare' is a linguistic 'Swiss Army Knife' in Italy; you can 'sistemare' a room, a broken computer, or even a dispute. Note that 'tra poco' is a polite way to buy time, but its actual duration can vary depending on how relaxed the environment is.