Italian Phrase
Assicurati di capire tutte le spese prima di firmare.
Meaning
The sentence is a piece of advice: make sure you understand every cost involved before you sign any contract or agreement. It stresses the importance of full financial transparency.
When to use
Use this phrase when discussing contracts, rental agreements, service subscriptions, or any situation where a signature binds you to a financial commitment. It’s common in business meetings, real‑estate negotiations, and when reviewing terms of service.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Assicuratidicapiretuttelespeseprimadifirmare
Assicurati (imperative)
‘Assicurati’ is the second‑person singular imperative of the reflexive verb ‘assicurarsi’, meaning ‘make sure’. The reflexive pronoun ‘ti’ is attached to the verb.
di + infinitive
After ‘assicurarsi’, the preposition ‘di’ introduces the infinitive verb that follows (here ‘capire’).
Capire (infinitive)
The infinitive ‘capire’ means ‘to understand’ and functions as the object of the verb ‘assicurarsi di’.
Agreement of article and adjective
‘tutte le spese’ – the adjective ‘tutte’ agrees in gender and number with the noun ‘spese’ (feminine plural).
prima di + infinitive
The expression ‘prima di’ (before) is followed by another infinitive (‘firmare’).
🗨In Conversation
Stiamo per firmare il contratto di affitto.
We are about to sign the rental contract.
Assicurati di capire tutte le spese prima di firmare.
Make sure you understand all the costs before signing.
✕Common Mistakes
Assicurati di capire tutti le spese prima di firmare.
‘Tutti’ is masculine plural; the noun ‘spese’ is feminine plural, so the correct form is ‘tutte le spese’.
Assicurati di capire tutte le spese prima di firmare
Missing the final period or using a comma can change the tone; keep it as a clear imperative sentence.
Assicurati di capire tutte le spese prima che firmare.
Do not replace ‘prima di’ with ‘prima che’, which would require the subjunctive and change the meaning.
↔Alternatives
Verifica tutte le spese prima di firmare.
Check all the costs before signing.
Controlla bene i costi prima di apporre la firma.
Check the costs carefully before putting your signature.
Accertati di conoscere tutte le spese prima di firmare.
Make sure you know all the expenses before signing.
Cultural Tip
In Italy it’s customary to request a detailed breakdown of fees (e.g., ‘spese condominiali’, ‘spese di gestione’, ‘oneri notarili’) before signing any contract. Showing that you’ve read the fine print is seen as a sign of prudence and professionalism, especially in business and real‑estate contexts.