Italian Phrase
Di solito la cauzione non si può usare per pagare l'affitto.
Meaning
The sentence states that, as a rule, a security deposit cannot be used to cover the rent. It highlights the separation between the money held as a guarantee and the monthly rent payments.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are discussing the terms of a rental contract, answering a tenant’s question about whether the deposit can be applied to the first month’s rent, or explaining rental customs to a newcomer.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Disolitolacauzionenonsipuòusareperpagarel'affitto.
Di solito
An adverbial phrase meaning ‘usually’. It is placed at the beginning of the sentence and does not change form.
Non si può + infinitive
Impersonal passive construction. ‘Si’ makes the verb impersonal, and ‘può’ (from potere) expresses ability/possibility in the negative.
Usare per + infinitive
The verb ‘usare’ followed by ‘per’ + infinitive indicates purpose: ‘to use for …’
Elision (l')
Before a vowel, the article ‘il’ drops the vowel and becomes ‘l’’, as in ‘l'affitto’.
Cauzione (feminine noun)
‘Cauzione’ is a feminine noun meaning ‘security deposit’; it takes the article ‘la’.
🗨In Conversation
Posso usare la cauzione per pagare il primo mese di affitto?
Can I use the deposit to pay the first month’s rent?
Di solito la cauzione non si può usare per pagare l'affitto.
Usually the deposit cannot be used to pay the rent.
✕Common Mistakes
Di solito la cauzione non può usare per pagare l'affitto.
Missing the impersonal ‘si’. The correct structure is ‘non si può usare’ to express a general impossibility.
Di solito la cauzione non si può usare per pagare affitto.
The article ‘l'’ is required before ‘affitto’ because the noun starts with a vowel.
Di solito la cauzione non si può usata per pagare l'affitto.
After ‘può’ the verb must stay in the infinitive form, not the past participle.
↔Alternatives
Generalmente la cauzione non è destinata a coprire l'affitto.
Generally the deposit is not intended to cover the rent.
Di norma la cauzione non serve per pagare l'affitto.
By rule the deposit is not used to pay the rent.
Normalmente non si può impiegare la cauzione per il pagamento dell'affitto.
Normally you cannot employ the deposit for the rent payment.
Cultural Tip
In Italy the ‘cauzione’ is usually one to three months’ rent and is kept by the landlord as a guarantee against damages or unpaid rent. It is returned at the end of the lease if the property is left in good condition, and it is never meant to replace regular rent payments.