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Italian Phrase

Per me la famiglia viene sempre prima di tutto.

/per me la faˈmiʎ.ʎa ˈvjɛ.ne ˈsɛm.pre ˈpri.ma di ˈtut.to/
Meaning"For me, family always comes before everything."
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Meaning

This phrase expresses a deep personal conviction that family is the most important aspect of life. It uses the verb 'venire' (to come) idiomatically to describe priority or ranking. The addition of 'sempre' (always) and 'prima di tutto' (before everything) reinforces the absolute nature of this value.

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When to use

Use this sentence when discussing your personal priorities, explaining why you are choosing a family commitment over work, or sharing your core values with friends. It is a common sentiment in Italian culture and is used in both formal and informal heart-to-heart conversations.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Per mela famigliavienesempreprima di tutto

1

Per me

A common way to start a sentence to indicate a personal opinion or subjective priority.

2

Viene prima

The verb 'venire' (to come) is used here to mean 'to take precedence' or 'to be more important than'.

3

Prima di tutto

A fixed adverbial phrase meaning 'first of all' or 'before anything else'.

🗨In Conversation

A

Puoi venire alla festa sabato sera?

Can you come to the party Saturday night?

No, è il compleanno di mia nonna. Per me la famiglia viene sempre prima di tutto.

No, it's my grandmother's birthday. For me, family always comes before everything.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Per me la famiglia è sempre prima di tutto.

    While 'essere' is grammatically possible, 'venire prima' is the standard idiomatic expression for indicating priority.

  • Per me la famiglia viene sempre prima tutto.

    The preposition 'di' is required after 'prima' when it is followed by a noun or pronoun like 'tutto'.

↔Alternatives

  • La famiglia è la cosa più importante.

    Family is the most important thing.

  • Metto sempre la famiglia al primo posto.

    I always put family in first place.

it

Cultural Tip

In Italy, 'la famiglia' is the cornerstone of society, often extending beyond the nuclear family to include cousins, aunts, and grandparents. Expressing that family comes first is not seen as an excuse to avoid work, but rather as a respected and expected moral stance. This phrase captures the essence of the Italian social fabric.