Phrases › Introducing Yourself › Ho vissuto all'estero per qualche anno.

Ho vissuto all'estero per qualche anno.

I have lived abroad for a few years.

Pronunciation

'Vissuto' = vees-SOO-toh — past participle of 'vivere.' Irregular. 'All'estero' = al-LEH-steh-ro — three syllables.

When to use it

Use when relevant to your background and life experience. Living abroad is an important life marker in Italian culture — it signals international experience and a broader worldview.

What it means

'Vivere' is an irregular verb. Its past participle 'vissuto' is formed irregularly from the stem 'viss-.' The passato prossimo 'ho vissuto' uses 'avere.' 'Qualche anno' = 'a few years' — 'qualche' always takes singular noun.

Variations

Ho fatto l'Erasmus in Spagna.

I did Erasmus in Spain.

Specifies the Erasmus programme — immediately relatable for university-age Italians.

Ho lavorato a Berlino per tre anni.

I worked in Berlin for three years.

Concrete work experience abroad — more professional context.

Sono tornato/a in Italia di recente.

I returned to Italy recently.

Specifies the return — shows they are now back and reconnecting with Italian life.

Mini Dialogue

— Hai un accento particolare — dove hai vissuto? — Ho vissuto all'estero per quattro anni. Prima Londra, poi Amsterdam. — Che esperienze! Ti mancava l'Italia? — Ogni giorno. Soprattutto la pasta della domenica.

— You have a particular accent — where have you lived? — I've lived abroad for four years. First London, then Amsterdam. — What experiences! Did you miss Italy? — Every day. Especially Sunday pasta.

Cultural Note

Sunday pasta ('la pasta della domenica') is a deeply rooted Italian family ritual — slow-cooked ragù, family gathered around the table. It is often cited by Italians abroad as the thing they miss most about home.

← Previous

Preferisco vivere in campagna che in città.

Mi definisco una persona curiosa.

← All phrases: Introducing Yourself