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Italian Phrase

Disinfetta le superfici per gli altri.

/disinˈfɛt.ta le suˈper.fi.tʃi per ʎi ˈal.tri/
Meaning"Disinfect the surfaces for others."
💡

Meaning

The sentence is a polite command asking someone to disinfect the surfaces so that other people can use them safely. It stresses the communal benefit of keeping shared areas clean.

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When to use

Use this phrase when you are reminding a roommate, colleague, or family member to clean a shared space—kitchen counters, bathroom fixtures, public tables, etc.—especially after a health scare or in a workplace that follows strict hygiene protocols.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Disinfettalesuperficiperglialtri

1

Imperative (tu)

‘Disinfetta’ is the second‑person singular imperative of the verb *disinfettare* (to disinfect). It is used to give a direct command or request.

2

Definite article (feminine plural)

‘le’ is the feminine plural definite article that agrees with *superfici*.

3

Noun (feminine plural)

*superfici* means ‘surfaces’; it is a feminine plural noun.

4

Preposition *per* + article

*per* means ‘for’. When it is followed by the plural article before a vowel, Italian uses *gli* (not *i*).

5

Pronoun *gli* (others)

*gli* in *gli altri* functions as the masculine plural article meaning ‘the others’ or ‘others’ in a generic sense.

🗨In Conversation

A

Disinfetta le superfici per gli altri, per favore.

Please disinfect the surfaces for the others.

Certo, lo faccio subito.

Sure, I’ll do it right away.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Disinfetta le superfici per i altri.

    Use *gli* before a vowel; *i* is incorrect here.

  • Disinfettare le superfici per gli altri.

    The infinitive *disinfettare* does not give a command; you need the imperative *disinfetta*.

  • Disinfetta le superfici per gli altri.

    If you refer to masculine surfaces (e.g., *i tavoli*), the article must change accordingly.

↔Alternatives

  • Pulisci le superfici per gli altri.

    Clean the surfaces for others.

  • Sanifica le superfici per gli altri.

    Sanitize the surfaces for others.

  • Disinfetta le superfici per gli altri, grazie.

    Disinfect the surfaces for others, thanks.

it

Cultural Tip

Since the COVID‑19 pandemic, Italians have become especially attentive to hygiene in public and private spaces. The verb *disinfettare* is often preferred over *sanificare* when talking about chemical disinfectants, while *sanificare* can sound a bit more technical. Remember that *gli altri* is a neutral way to refer to ‘other people’ in general; you can also say *gli altri utenti* (other users) if you need more specificity.