Italian Phrase
Prova prima a spegnerlo e riaccenderlo.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to first turn something off and then turn it back on again. It’s a common troubleshooting instruction for electronic devices, appliances, or software.
When to use
Use this phrase when you’re helping a friend or a colleague with a technical problem, such as a frozen computer, a misbehaving phone, or a TV that won’t respond. It’s also appropriate in customer‑service contexts when guiding a user through a reset procedure.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Provaprimaaspegnerloeriaccenderlo
Imperative + infinitive (prova a)
‘Prova a’ is a polite way to suggest trying something; the verb after ‘a’ stays in the infinitive.
Adverb placement (prima)
‘Prima’ (first) is placed before the infinitive phrase to indicate the order of actions.
Clitic pronoun attached to infinitive (‑lo)
The direct‑object pronoun ‘lo’ (it) is attached to the infinitive, forming ‘spegnerlo’ and ‘riaccenderlo’.
Coordinating conjunction (e)
‘E’ simply links the two infinitive clauses, meaning ‘and’.
🗨In Conversation
Il mio tablet non risponde più.
My tablet isn’t responding anymore.
Prova prima a spegnerlo e riaccenderlo.
Try turning it off first and then turning it back on.
✕Common Mistakes
Prova prima spegnerlo e riaccenderlo.
The preposition ‘a’ is required after ‘prova’ when it’s followed by an infinitive.
Prova prima a spegnerlo e riavviarlo.
‘Riavviarlo’ means ‘to reboot it’ (usually a computer); the intended meaning here is simply ‘to turn it on again’, which is ‘riaccenderlo’.
Prova prima a spegni lo e riaccendi lo.
When the object pronoun is attached to the infinitive, it must be fused (spegnerlo). Splitting it (spegni lo) is ungrammatical.
↔Alternatives
Prova a spegnerlo e poi riaccenderlo.
Try turning it off and then turning it back on.
Prima spegni il dispositivo e poi riaccendilo.
First turn off the device and then turn it back on.
Spegni e riaccendi prima di fare altro.
Turn it off and on again before doing anything else.
Cultural Tip
In Italian, attaching the clitic pronoun to the infinitive (spegnerlo, riaccenderlo) is the most natural way to refer to ‘it’ when the object is already known. Using the imperative ‘spegni!’ would be more direct, while ‘prova a…’ softens the request, making it sound polite and less commanding—ideal for casual conversation or customer support.