Italian Phrase
Non tenerti tutte le macchine.
Meaning
Literally, 'Don’t keep all the cars for yourself.' It’s a warning or request not to monopolize the vehicles, implying that they should be shared or that the listener is being selfish.
When to use
Use this phrase when someone is hoarding cars, bikes, or any shared transport resources, especially in a group setting like a car‑sharing club, a family, or a workplace.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Nontenertituttelemacchine
Negazione con Non
In Italian, 'non' precedes the verb to make a statement negative.
Verbo + pronome enclitico (tenerti)
'tenere' + 'ti' forms a reflexive infinitive meaning 'to keep (something) for yourself)'.
Accordo di 'tutte' con il sostantivo
'tutte' is the feminine plural form of 'tutto' and must agree with the feminine plural noun 'macchine'.
Articolo determinativo 'le'
'le' is the plural feminine definite article used before 'macchine'.
Sostantivo femminile plurale 'macchine'
'macchine' is the plural of 'macchina' (car), a feminine noun.
🗨In Conversation
Non tenerti tutte le macchine, altrimenti nessuno potrà usarle.
Don’t keep all the cars for yourself, otherwise no one will be able to use them.
Hai ragione, le metterò a disposizione di tutti.
You’re right, I’ll make them available to everyone.
✕Common Mistakes
Non tenere tutte le macchine.
Missing the reflexive pronoun 'ti' changes the meaning to 'don’t keep the cars' (impersonal) instead of 'don’t keep them for yourself'.
Non tenerti tutti le macchine.
'Tutti' is masculine plural; it must agree with the feminine noun 'macchine'.
Non tenerti tutte la macchina.
Singular 'macchina' would contradict 'tutte' which is plural.
↔Alternatives
Non tenere tutte le macchine per te.
Don’t keep all the cars for yourself.
Non tenere tutte le auto.
Don’t keep all the cars.
Non monopolizzare le macchine.
Don’t monopolize the cars.
Cultural Tip
In many Italian cities, especially in historic centers, car‑sharing schemes (car‑sharing, "car sharing") are encouraged to reduce traffic and pollution. Using 'macchine' sounds a bit more informal and generic, while 'auto' is more common in everyday speech. Remember that a direct command can sound harsh; softening it with 'per favore' or a friendly tone is usually better received.