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Italian Phrase

Devo portare avanti questa cosa.

/ˈde.vo porˈta.re ˈa.van.ti ˈkwes.ta ˈko.za/
Meaning"I have to carry this thing forward."
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Meaning

‘I have to move this thing forward.’ It conveys a personal sense of duty to continue or develop a matter that is currently in progress. The word ‘cosa’ keeps the statement vague, allowing the speaker to refer to any project, task, or issue without naming it explicitly.

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When to use

Use this sentence when you need to state an obligation to keep a project, idea, or task progressing—whether in a workplace meeting, a study group, or a casual conversation about personal goals.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Devoportareavantiquestacosa.

1

Devo (dovere)

‘Devo’ is the first‑person singular present of the modal verb ‘dovere’, expressing personal obligation or necessity.

2

Portare avanti

A separable verb phrase meaning ‘to carry forward, to continue, to pursue’. The infinitive ‘portare’ is followed by the adverb ‘avanti’.

3

Questa

Demonstrative adjective that agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies (feminine singular ‘cosa’).

4

Cosa

A very generic noun meaning ‘thing, matter, issue’. In informal speech it can replace more specific nouns like ‘progetto’ or ‘questione’.

🗨In Conversation

A

Devo portare avanti questa cosa.

I have to move this thing forward.

Capisco, fammi sapere se ti serve aiuto.

I understand, let me know if you need any help.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Devo portare questa cosa.

    ‘Portare’ alone means ‘to bring/carry’; you need the adverb ‘avanti’ to convey ‘to continue’.

  • Devo di portare avanti questa cosa.

    After ‘dovere’ you do NOT add the preposition ‘di’ before the infinitive.

  • Devo portare avanti questa cosa.

    In formal contexts ‘cosa’ can sound too vague; replace it with a more specific noun.

↔Alternatives

  • Devo continuare con questa cosa.

    I have to continue with this thing.

  • È necessario portare avanti questo progetto.

    It is necessary to carry this project forward.

  • Devo occuparmi di questa questione.

    I need to take care of this matter.

it

Cultural Tip

In Italian ‘cosa’ is informal and works well in spoken language or among peers. In more formal or written contexts you’ll often hear ‘questione’, ‘argomento’ or the specific noun (e.g., ‘progetto’, ‘iniziativa’). The phrase ‘portare avanti’ is especially common in business and academic settings, signalling that a project is not just started but actively being developed.