Provare is a common word used in various contexts. We have talked about some in this lesson and in this one, too. It generally means "to try," but not only. In this lesson, we'll be talking about using the verb provare and related words in the context of music and other performing arts.
While a rock band or jazz band will likely practice, an orchestra, classical ensemble, or theater production rehearses. In Italian, the verb for both is generally provare. The group is trying things out if we think about it.
Da oggi, compreso oggi, abbiamo quattro giorni per provare prima che arrivi il maestro.
From today, including today, we have four days to rehearse before the maestro arrives.
Captions 39-40, La compagnia del cigno S1 EP3 - Part 2
Play Caption
But what do we call the rehearsal itself?
When it's at a specific time and place, we might hear it used in the singular. Let's keep in mind that "una prova" can have multiple meanings, and depending on the context, might not pertain to music or theater. Sometimes, especially for a band, the kind of prova will be specified, with the term la prova musicale (the musical rehearsal, the music practice session).
Be', io devo tornare, il ragazzetto rompicoglioni deve studiare, domani ho una prova importante. -E, no.
Well, I have to go back, the pain in the ass boy has to study. I have an important rehearsal tomorrow. -Hey, no.
Captions 43-44, La compagnia del cigno S2 EP 2 - Part 11
Play Caption
And there are certain cases in which the singular la prova is used for sure. The dress rehearsal is called "la prova generale."
Non sono preparato, non ho tempo, non ho dimestichezza con i bambini. -Ma è perfetto, con l'occasione fai una prova generale.
I'm not prepared, I don't have time, I'm not familiar with children. -But it's perfect, with this opportunity you'll do a dress rehearsal.
Captions 57-59, Provaci ancora prof! S3EP2 Doppio imprevisto - Part 15
Play Caption
But often, even when referring to one rehearsal, the plural is used. It's just what people say.
Anche oggi delle prove durissime.
Even today, a very tough rehearsal.
Caption 1, La compagnia del cigno EP 5 - Part 6
Play Caption
Non dovevate finire le prove alle sette?
Weren't you supposed to finish the rehearsal at seven?
Caption 60, La compagnia del cigno S1 EP3 - Part 9
Play Caption
Ti va di cenare insieme dopo le prove?
Do you want to have dinner together after the rehearsal?
Caption 14, La compagnia del cigno EP 5 - Part 9
Play Caption
In this next example, it's about a band. Fare le prove is literally, "to do/make the rehearsal/practice session."
Dove devi andare? A fare le prove per il concerto. -Mhh...
Where do you have to go? To practice for the concert. -Hmm...
Captions 29-30, Milena e Mattia L'incontro
Play Caption
But what about when you are at home or in your practice room practicing? That is studiare, which means, in a general context, "to study."
Be', io no, grazie. Sto qui a studiare così domani non perdete tempo.
Well, not me, thanks. I'll stay here to practice, that way, tomorrow you won't waste time.
Captions 68-70, La compagnia del cigno EP 6 - Part 2
Play Caption
Naturally, studiare also means studying for an exam.
Tu pensa a studiare che devi dare l'esame.
You think about studying because you have to take the exam.
Caption 49, Com'è umano lui Film - Part 9
Play Caption
But we need to be careful, because studiare can also mean someone is "going to school," in other words, attending a school of higher learning, such as a college or university, or even a high school, since not all kids go to high school.
Io non studio, non lavoro.
I don't study/I'm not going to school, I don't work.
Caption 24, Com'è umano lui Film - Part 10
Play Caption
In the series La compagnia del cigno, the kids both practice their instruments and study from books, so we need to determine the context to know what is meant sometimes.
Another way to translate "to practice" is esercitarsi. It can be a bit more specific to a certain passage or piece than studiare, which can be more general.
Va bene, grazie. -Quanto ti devi esercitare ancora?
All right, thanks. -How much more do you have to practice?
Caption 35, La compagnia del cigno S1 EP1 - Part 7
Play Caption
Thanks for reading. Hopefully, you have a better grasp of the words Italian musicians and actors (and others) use when they are practicing and rehearsing. There are other related words we will address in a future lesson. If you have comments or questions, we're all ears. Write to us at [email protected].
You may know that we can ask someone how things are going with come va (how's it going)? It's the simplest and least personal way to ask that. More personal is come stai (how are you, how are you feeling)?
"Ciao, come va?"
"Hi, how's it going?"
Si può anche dire "come stai?"
You can also say, "how are you?"
Come stai.
How are you?
Captions 5-7, Corso di italiano con Daniela - Chiedere "Come va?"
Play Caption
Here's yet another way to talk about how things are going for someone. We use it in both questions and answers when the situation or outcome is new or uncertain, like, for example, a new job, a new home, an exam, and much more.
And the verb is.... cavarsela. It's a pronominal verb — a verb that has pronouns attached to it — so let's take it apart.
The main verb inside this pronominal verb is cavare (to remove, to extract). If you think of a cavity, something has been removed to create it.
As a matter of fact, Marika has made a video about 2 similar verbs: cavare and togliere, which can both mean to remove.
Cavare vuol dire estrarre,
"Cavare" means to extract,
tirare fuori qualcosa da qualche parte.
to pull something out from somewhere.
Captions 7-8, Marika spiega - I verbi cavare e togliere
Play Caption
Here's a practical example of cavare.
Ma non è una seduta dal dentista, questa, che ti cavo fuori le cose con le pinze!
But this isn't, isn't a dentist appointment, this, where I pull things out of you with pliers!
Captions 55-56, JAMS EP6 - Part 2
Play Caption
Cavare can also be reflexive, becoming cavarsi. Although it can be used like levarsi and togliersi (to remove), when talking about taking one's shoes off, for example, it's not all that common. Togliere and levare are much more common.
Mi tolgo le scarpe... indosso una vestaglia,
I take off my shoes... I put on a robe,
mi distendo sul divano,
I stretch out on the couch,
guardo un po' di televisione.
I watch a little TV.
Captions 40-42, Adriano - Giornata
Play Caption
Instead of togliere, levare could have been used in the previous example about shoes. Mi levo le scarpe...
However, there is another, longer pronominal verb, cavarsela, which includes the reflexive cavarsi, and where we add la, which, in this case, means "it." "It" in turn, represents a situation, often a difficult one. So cavarsela can mean "to get oneself out of a situation." Cavarsela: cavare + si + la.
When using the verb in its infinitive form, we remove the "e" ending of the original verb in its infinitive, so cavare becomes cavar. Then, since we are going to have a direct object pronoun in there, too (in this case la = it), si (usually an indirect object pronoun meaning "to oneself") becomes se. And then we add, at the end, la, which is a direct object pronoun (meaning a generic "it") — and we get cavarsela.
A classic example of using cavarsela is when you take an exam you hadn't studied for, or some similar situation, but you got through it anyway.
Me la sono cavata, menomale (I got through it, thank goodness).
Cavarsela can have various, related meanings, such as "to get out of a dicey situation," "to get away with something," "to manage," "to get by," and more, depending on the context.
Insomma, neanche in sogno riesco a cavarmela da solo.
Anyway, not even in a dream can I get by on my own.
Caption 58, Psicovip - I Minivips - Ep 13
Play Caption
Let's start with how we use cavarsela in a general question, perhaps because someone has a new job, a couple has a new baby or has moved into a new house, or someone has lost their job.
Come ve la state cavando?
How are you managing?
Caption 9, Sposami EP 1 - Part 8
Play Caption
This isn't exactly a question, but the structure is the same. As a soloist, Matteo is good, but can he play with the others in the orchestra?
Adesso, però, vediamo come te la cavi con tutti gli altri.
Now, though, let's see how you manage with everyone else.
Caption 8, La compagnia del cigno S1 EP1 - Part 7
Play Caption
A woman who owns horses is thinking of hiring some help. She asks:
Come te la cavi con i cavalli?
How do you manage with horses?
How good are you with horses?
Caption 6, Il Commissario Manara - S1EP8 - Morte di un buttero
Play Caption
An answer to a question with cavarsela might be:
Me la cavo (I do all right).
Ce la caviamo (we're doing all right).
Ce la stiamo cavando (we're managing).
When we use the passato prossimo (which is structured like the present perfect), for example, it's a bit trickier to use cavarsela. The present participle has to agree with la (in other words, it should be in the singular, feminine). And we use essere (to be), not avere (to have), as an auxiliary verb.
Va be', dai, però se l'è cavata bene, su.
OK, come on, after all she managed all right, come on.
Caption 7, La Ladra EP. 9 - L'amico sconosciuto - Part 14
Play Caption
Here are some more examples of cavarsela conjugated in the passato prossimo (present perfect).
Come te la sei cavata (how did you do, how did you manage, how did you hold up)?
Me la sono cavata bene (I managed fine).
If you are talking to two or more people:
Come ve la siete cavata? (how did you do, how did you manage, how did you hold up)?
Ce la siamo cavata così così (We did just OK).
Ce la caviamo bene (we'll manage), we're managing).
Me la sono cavata bene (I did all right).
Cavarsela can also be interpreted to mean "to get away with something." Tracking down all the pieces of this pronominal verb can be a challenge!
In qualche modo se l'è sempre cavata.
In some way he's always gotten away with it.
Caption 13, Il Commissario Manara S1EP5 - Il Raggio Verde - Part 11
Play Caption
E tu? Come te la stai cavando con l'italiano (and you? How are you getting along in Italian)?
Thanks for reading. As always, you can write to us at [email protected].
Spanish
French
German
Chinese
English
English 
Español
Français
Deutsch
Italiano
