Italian Phrase
A volte, per ispirarmi.
Meaning
Literally, 'Sometimes, to inspire me.' The speaker is indicating that on occasion they do something (often implied) with the purpose of finding personal inspiration.
When to use
Use this fragment when you want to explain a personal habit or a trigger that helps you get creative or motivated. It often precedes or follows a clause that describes the actual activity (e.g., listening to music, reading poetry).
✦Grammar Breakdown
Avolte,perispirarmi.
A volte
An adverbial phrase meaning 'sometimes'. It can appear at the beginning of a sentence to set a temporal nuance.
per + infinitive
The preposition *per* followed by an infinitive expresses purpose or reason, similar to 'in order to' in English.
ispirarmi
Reflexive infinitive of *ispirare* (to inspire). The attached *-mi* indicates the action is directed toward the speaker: 'to inspire me'.
🗨In Conversation
A volte, per ispirarmi, ascolto il jazz.
Sometimes, to inspire me, I listen to jazz.
Capisco, la musica ti aiuta a trovare nuove idee.
I get it, music helps you find new ideas.
✕Common Mistakes
A volte, per mi ispirare.
The infinitive must stay before the reflexive pronoun; *mi ispirare* is not grammatical.
A volte, per ispirare me.
Italian does not separate the pronoun from the infinitive; use the attached *-mi* form.
↔Alternatives
A volte, per darmi ispirazione.
Sometimes, to give myself inspiration.
Talvolta, per trovare ispirazione.
Occasionally, to find inspiration.
A volte, per stimolare la mia creatività.
Sometimes, to stimulate my creativity.
Cultural Tip
In Italian, using *per* + infinitive is a very natural way to express purpose. Native speakers often pair it with a reflexive verb when the benefit is personal, as in *ispirarmi*. Avoid over‑formal constructions; the phrase works best in casual conversation or reflective writing.