Italian Phrase
La gentilezza mi importa molto.
Meaning
This phrase expresses the personal value a speaker places on kindness or politeness. It uses the verb 'importare', which functions similarly to 'piacere', where the thing that matters is the subject of the sentence. It highlights an individual's priorities or character preferences in social contexts.
When to use
Use this phrase when discussing your personal values, explaining why you appreciate someone, or describing what you look for in a relationship. It is suitable for both heart-to-heart conversations and formal discussions about workplace culture.
✦Grammar Breakdown
La gentilezzamiimportamolto
La gentilezza
The subject of the sentence. In Italian, abstract nouns like kindness require the definite article 'la'.
mi
An indirect object pronoun meaning 'to me'. It indicates who is affected by the importance of the subject.
importa
The third-person singular form of the verb 'importare'. It must agree with the singular subject 'la gentilezza'.
🗨In Conversation
Perché ti piace così tanto Marco?
Why do you like Marco so much?
Perché è sempre educato. La gentilezza mi importa molto.
Because he is always polite. Kindness matters a lot to me.
✕Common Mistakes
Io importo la gentilezza molto.
Importare is an impersonal verb; the subject is the thing that matters, not the person. Use 'mi importa' instead.
La gentilezza mi importa molta.
In this context, 'molto' is an adverb modifying the verb, so it does not change its ending to match the feminine noun 'gentilezza'.
↔Alternatives
Ci tengo molto alla gentilezza.
I care a lot about kindness.
La gentilezza è fondamentale per me.
Kindness is fundamental for me.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, the concept of 'garbo' or 'gentilezza' is deeply linked to social harmony and the idea of 'bella figura'. While Italians are known for their expressiveness, showing genuine consideration for others is a highly regarded trait that transcends simple politeness. Using the verb 'importare' conveys a sense of sincere personal conviction rather than just following a social rule.