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B1 Verbs

Italian word

rischiare

to risk, to be at risk of

Looks like

to risk

to expose oneself to danger

⚠️ The trap

The risk meaning is shared. But in everyday Italian 'rischiare di + infinitive' means 'might/could/be in danger of doing': 'rischia di perdere il lavoro' = 'he might lose his job'. This colloquial use surprises learners.

To say "to expose oneself to danger" in Italian:

rischiare is correct

"rischiare" in English means:

to risk, to be at risk of

Example

"Rischiamo di arrivare in ritardo se non usciamo ora."

"We might arrive late if we don't leave now."

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