Italian Phrase
Proviamo a riorientarlo.
Meaning
“Let’s try to re‑orient it.” The speaker proposes to change the direction, focus, or purpose of something that has already been defined, such as a project, a strategy, or a piece of equipment.
When to use
Use this sentence in a professional or collaborative setting when a group needs to adjust a plan, a product, or a workflow. It works well in meetings, brainstorming sessions, or when giving feedback on a draft that isn’t heading where you’d like.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Proviamoariorientarlo
Proviamo
First‑person plural present indicative of *provare* used as a polite suggestion, equivalent to “let’s try”.
a + infinitive
The preposition *a* introduces an infinitive after verbs of attempt (provare, cercare, tentare).
riorientare
Verb meaning “to re‑orient, to change direction”. The prefix *ri‑* indicates repetition or a new direction.
lo (object pronoun)
Clitic pronoun *lo* is attached to the infinitive to replace a masculine singular direct object (“it”).
🗨In Conversation
Il nostro piano di marketing non sta portando i risultati sperati.
Our marketing plan isn’t delivering the expected results.
Proviamo a riorientarlo verso i canali digitali più recenti?
Shall we try to re‑orient it toward the newer digital channels?
✕Common Mistakes
Provare di riorientarlo.
The verb *provare* is followed by *a* + infinitive, not *di*.
Riorientare lo.
When the object pronoun is attached to an infinitive, it must be clitic and placed after the verb (riorientarlo).
Proviamo riorientarlo.
The preposition *a* is required before the infinitive after *provare*.
↔Alternatives
Cerchiamo di riorientarlo.
Let's try to re‑orient it.
Proviamo a cambiarne la direzione.
Let's try to change its direction.
Riconsideriamo il suo orientamento.
Let's reconsider its orientation.
Cultural Tip
In Italian business culture, suggestions are often softened with verbs like *provare* or *cercare* to show respect for the group’s opinion. Using *proviamo* signals a collaborative approach rather than a top‑down command. Also, attaching the pronoun *lo* to the infinitive is very common in spoken Italian, but in very formal writing you might see the pronoun placed before the verb (e.g., *lo riorientiamo*).