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PhrasesFlirting in ItalianTi ho notato/a subito quando sei entrato/a.
B1informal

Ti ho notato/a subito quando sei entrato/a.

I noticed you straight away when you walked in.

Pronunciation

ti o no-TA-to su-BI-to kwan-DO sei en-TRA-to — stress on 'ta-', 'bi-', 'do', 'tra-'. 'Subito' is three syllables: SU-bi-to.

When to use it

At a social event — confessing that you noticed someone the moment they arrived. A sincere and specific expression of attraction.

What it means

'Ti ho notato/a' = I noticed you (passato prossimo). 'Subito' = immediately. 'Quando sei entrato/a' = when you walked in/entered. The specificity of the moment — the entrance — makes it vivid and genuine rather than a vague compliment.

Variations

Sei la prima persona che ho visto entrare e non ho smesso di guardarti.

You were the first person I saw walk in and I didn't stop watching you.

Extended version — the gaze continued from first moment

Non si può non notarti.

It's impossible not to notice you.

Says the noticing was inevitable — not a choice but a necessity

Ho aspettato il momento giusto per avvicinarmi.

I waited for the right moment to approach you.

Reveals conscious intention — you were watching and planning

Mini Dialogue

— Ti ho notata subito quando sei entrata. — Davvero? E perché hai aspettato così tanto a venire a parlarmi? — Stavo raccogliendo il coraggio. — E ne è valsa la pena? — Giudicalo tu.

— I noticed you straight away when you walked in. — Really? Then why did you wait so long to come and talk to me? — I was gathering courage. — And was it worth it? — You tell me.

Cultural Note

The gathering of courage ('raccogliere il coraggio') before approaching someone is a universally relatable experience. In Italy, admitting it openly is considered charming rather than weak — it shows emotional honesty and that the other person is worth the effort of overcoming shyness.