Italian Phrase
La prendo un giorno alla volta.
Meaning
Literally, “I take it one day at a time.” It is used to express a calm, incremental approach to a problem, a habit, or life in general, emphasizing patience and resilience.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to reassure someone (or yourself) that you’re handling a challenge slowly, or when you’re describing your own strategy of dealing with a stressful situation.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Laprendoungiornoallavolta
La (direct object pronoun)
Feminine singular direct object pronoun that replaces a feminine noun previously mentioned.
prendo (present of prendere)
First‑person singular present indicative of the verb ‘prendere’ (to take, to seize).
un giorno (indefinite article + noun)
‘un’ is the indefinite article for masculine singular nouns; ‘giorno’ means ‘day’.
alla (a + la)
Contraction of the preposition ‘a’ (to/at) and the feminine singular article ‘la’, forming ‘alla’.
volta (noun)
Literally ‘time’ or ‘occasion’; in the set phrase ‘un giorno alla volta’ it means ‘one day at a time’.
Idiomatic expression
‘Un giorno alla volta’ is a fixed idiom used to advise taking life step by step.
🗨In Conversation
Come va il tuo nuovo lavoro?
How’s the new job going?
È impegnativo, ma la prendo un giorno alla volta.
It’s demanding, but I’m taking it one day at a time.
✕Common Mistakes
Lo prendo un giorno alla volta.
‘Lo’ is the masculine direct object pronoun; the phrase refers to a feminine object, so ‘la’ is required.
La prendere un giorno alla volta.
Using the infinitive ‘prendere’ instead of the conjugated ‘prendo’ breaks subject‑verb agreement.
La prendo un giorno a la volta.
The preposition‑article contraction must be ‘alla’, not ‘a la’.
↔Alternatives
Prendo le cose un giorno alla volta.
I take things one day at a time.
Vivo un giorno alla volta.
I live one day at a time.
Affronto la vita un giorno alla volta.
I face life one day at a time.
Cultural Tip
In Italian culture, the idea of ‘prendere le cose con calma’ (taking things calmly) is linked to the concept of ‘dolce far niente’ – the sweet art of doing nothing. Using this phrase shows a relaxed, realistic attitude and is perfectly appropriate in both informal chats and supportive advice.