We must acknowledge that the problem exists.
'Darsi atto' — DAR-si AT-to. 'Atto' (act/formal acknowledgement). Double 't'. Idiom used in legal and formal Italian.
Use in formal discussions to compel acknowledgement of an inconvenient fact — particularly when addressing problems that some parties might prefer to minimise or ignore.
'Darsi atto' (to formally acknowledge) is a legal Italian expression meaning to formally note or acknowledge something. 'Bisogna darsi atto' (one must formally acknowledge) uses impersonal 'bisogna' — making the acknowledgement seem objectively required rather than personally demanded.
Dobbiamo riconoscere la realtà dei fatti.
We must recognise the reality of the facts.
'La realtà dei fatti' (the reality of the facts) — confronts denial with empirical reality
Non si può fare finta che non esista.
You can't pretend it doesn't exist.
'Fare finta' (to pretend) — calls out denial or avoidance directly
Prendere atto della situazione è il primo passo.
Acknowledging the situation is the first step.
'Prendere atto' (to take note of) — formal acceptance of reality as a starting point
'Devo dissentire' (I must dissent) is the most formal Italian disagreement phrase, used in parliamentary proceedings, legal settings, and academic publications. Outside those contexts it's slightly theatrical — but very effective for signalling principled, formal disagreement.