Me lo hanno regalato due volte.

I was given it as a gift twice.

Pronunciation

'Regalato' — re-ga-LA-to. Four syllables.

When to use it

An honest and charming explanation for a duplicate gift return. Italian staff will often smile at this and be especially helpful.

What it means

'Me lo hanno regalato' uses a double pronoun: 'me' (to me) + 'lo' (it) + 'hanno regalato' (have given as a gift). Double pronouns follow specific order rules in Italian: indirect before direct, and both precede the verb. 'Due volte' means twice.

Variations

Ne ho già uno.

I already have one.

Short and clear.

L'avevo già.

I already had it.

Simpler past tense version.

È un doppione.

It is a duplicate.

'Doppione' is the colloquial Italian for a duplicate.

Mini Dialogue

Cliente: Me lo hanno regalato due volte per il compleanno! Commessa: Che coincidenza! Vuole cambiarlo con qualcos'altro? Cliente: Sì, se possibile vorrei qualcosa di diverso. Commessa: Certo, la aiuto a scegliere.

Customer: I was given it as a gift twice for my birthday! Assistant: What a coincidence! Would you like to exchange it for something else? Customer: Yes, if possible I would like something different. Assistant: Of course, I'll help you choose.

Cultural Note

Birthdays, Christmas, and anniversaries produce many duplicate gifts in Italy. Shops in tourist and residential areas are used to this — especially between December 26 and early January when post-Christmas exchanges peak.

← Previous

La qualità non è quella che speravo.

Preferirei un buono spesa.

← All phrases: Returning Items