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what is the 'la' in 'Non me la sento di farlo'?

In the Italian phrase "Non me la sento di farlo," the word "la" is a pronoun that refers to the general idea or task being talked about. In this context, "la" functions as an impersonal object pronoun that doesn't have a specific gender or referent. It's often used in expressions related to feelings, emotions, or attitudes toward something.

Here's a breakdown of the phrase:

• Non = Not
• me = To me (indirect object pronoun)
• la = It (impersonal direct object pronoun)
• sento = I feel (from the verb "sentire")
• di farlo = To do it

So, "Non me la sento di farlo" translates to "I don't feel up to doing it" or "I don't feel like doing it." The "la" is essentially filling in for "it," referring to the action or task that the speaker doesn't feel capable of doing.

so what does the 'lo' on 'farlo' do then?

In the phrase "Non me la sento di farlo," the "lo" at the end of "farlo" is another pronoun that stands for "it." This "lo" specifically refers to the thing that the speaker doesn't feel up to doing.

To clarify:

• farlo = "fare" (to do) + "lo" (it)

So, "farlo" literally means "to do it."

In this phrase, both "la" and "lo" are pronouns referring to the same thing, but they serve different functions:

• "la" in "me la sento" is part of the idiomatic expression, which loosely means "I feel up to it" or "I feel like doing it."
• "lo" in "farlo" specifically refers to the action or task ("it") that the speaker is referring to.

When you combine them, "Non me la sento di farlo" means "I don't feel up to doing it." The phrase could be loosely rephrased as "I don't feel up to it (la), to do it (lo)." The use of both pronouns helps convey the meaning more clearly in Italian, even though it might seem redundant when translated into English.

But why do we need two impersonal pronouns?

The use of two pronouns in the phrase "Non me la sento di farlo" might seem redundant at first, but each pronoun serves a distinct purpose within the structure of the sentence. Let's break it down:

1. "La" in "me la sento":

• Function: The "la" in "me la sento" is part of the idiomatic expression. In Italian, certain expressions require a pronoun to maintain the idiom's structure, even if it doesn’t directly translate to a specific word in English.
• Role: Here, "la" is impersonal and can be seen as standing in for the general situation or task that the speaker is referring to, without specifying what "it" is.
• Purpose: It emphasizes the feeling or attitude of the speaker towards the action or situation ("I don't feel up to it").

1. "Lo" in "farlo":

• Function: The "lo" at the end of "farlo" directly refers to the specific action or thing that the speaker is considering doing.
• Role: This pronoun clarifies what exactly the speaker doesn’t feel up to doing ("it" in "to do it").
• Purpose: It directly links the action of "doing" (fare) to the object ("it") that the speaker is discussing.

Why Two Pronouns?

• Idiom Structure: In "me la sento," the "la" is required by the idiom itself. It's part of a fixed expression where the pronoun is embedded in the phrase's meaning and isn't always directly tied to a specific object.
• Clarity and Precision: The "lo" in "farlo" is necessary to clearly refer to the specific action. Without it, the sentence might lose clarity or leave the listener wondering what "it" refers to.
• Linguistic Economy: While it might seem redundant, in Italian, this combination helps to convey both the emotional state of the speaker and the specific action in a compact way. Italian often uses pronouns like this to maintain the flow and structure of the sentence while ensuring the meaning is clear.

So, even though it might feel like there are two impersonal pronouns doing similar jobs, they are actually working together to fully convey the speaker's sentiment and the action they're referring to, maintaining both the idiomatic expression and the sentence's clarity.