Italian Phrase
Controlla prima i cavi di alimentazione.
Meaning
The sentence is a direct instruction telling someone to verify that the power cables are correctly connected before proceeding with any other step. It’s commonly used in technical or safety contexts.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are troubleshooting electronic equipment, setting up a new device, or giving safety instructions before turning on machinery. It’s typical in manuals, workshops, and informal conversations among technicians.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Controllaprimaicavidialimentazione
Imperativo (Controlla)
‘Controlla’ is the second‑person singular informal imperative of the verb ‘controllare’ (to check). Use ‘controlli’ for formal or plural contexts.
Avverbio di ordine (prima)
‘Prima’ functions as an adverb meaning ‘first’ or ‘before anything else’, placed directly after the verb.
Articolo determinativo (i)
‘i’ is the masculine plural definite article, matching ‘cavi’ (cables).
Complemento di specificazione (di alimentazione)
‘di alimentazione’ specifies the type of cables – those that supply power. It’s a noun phrase introduced by the preposition ‘di’.
🗨In Conversation
Controlla prima i cavi di alimentazione.
Check the power cables first.
Hai ragione, non li avevo ancora collegati.
You’re right, I haven’t plugged them in yet.
✕Common Mistakes
Controlla prima di i cavi di alimentazione.
‘di’ already links the noun; you don’t need another preposition before the article.
Controlla prima i cavi di alimentazione.
When speaking formally, use ‘controlli’ instead of ‘controlla’.
Controlla prima il cavo di alimentazione.
Avoid mixing singular and plural; ‘cavi’ is plural, so keep the rest plural as shown.
↔Alternatives
Verifica prima i cavi di alimentazione.
Verify the power cables first.
Assicurati prima che i cavi di alimentazione siano collegati.
Make sure the power cables are connected first.
Prima di tutto, controlla i cavi di alimentazione.
First of all, check the power cables.
Cultural Tip
In Italian technical instructions the imperative is often used in the informal singular (controlla) when speaking to a colleague or a client you know well. For formal written manuals, the polite form ‘controlli’ or the infinitive ‘controllare’ is preferred. Also, Italians tend to place adverbs like ‘prima’ right after the verb for clarity.