SpeeekDownload on the App Store
Back to At The Post Office

Italian Phrase

Devo dichiarare delle cose.

/ˈde.vo di.kjaˈra.re ˈdel.le ˈko.ze/
Meaning"I have to declare some things."
💡

Meaning

I have to declare some things. The sentence conveys a personal obligation, often used in formal contexts such as customs, tax forms, or when you need to disclose information before proceeding.

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase at the airport when filling out a customs declaration, while completing a tax or legal form, or in everyday conversation when you need to tell someone you must disclose certain items or information.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Devodichiararedellecose.

1

Dovere (modal verb)

‘Devo’ is the 1st‑person singular present of ‘dovere’, used to express personal obligation or necessity.

2

Infinitive after modal

When a modal verb appears, the main verb stays in the infinitive (here, ‘dichiarare’).

3

Partitive article ‘delle’

‘Delle’ = ‘some’, a partitive article that indicates an indefinite quantity of a plural noun.

4

Plural noun ‘cose’

‘Cose’ means ‘things’ or ‘items’; it is always plural, so the article must agree in number.

🗨In Conversation

A

Hai finito di compilare il modulo?

Did you finish filling out the form?

Sì, ma devo dichiarare delle cose prima di consegnarlo.

Yes, but I have to declare some things before handing it in.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Devo dichiarare le cose.

    Using the definite article ‘le’ makes it sound like you have to declare *the* specific things already known, changing the nuance.

  • Devo dichiarare di cose.

    ‘Di’ is not used after ‘dichiarare’; the verb takes a direct object.

  • Devo dichiarare delle cosa.

    ‘Cosa’ is singular; the partitive article ‘delle’ requires a plural noun.

↔Alternatives

  • Devo dichiarare alcune cose.

    I have to declare a few things.

  • Devo dichiarare certe cose.

    I have to declare certain things.

  • Ho bisogno di dichiarare delle cose.

    I need to declare some things.

it

Cultural Tip

In Italy, customs officers are strict about declaring goods over the €300 limit for travelers from non‑EU countries. When you say ‘devo dichiarare delle cose’, you’re showing respect for the law and for the cultural value placed on transparency, especially in business and bureaucratic settings.