Discussing Life Milestones

Discussing Life Milestones in Italian

At the B1 level, you need to be able to talk about your past achievements, career steps, and important life events. This lesson covers key milestones such as graduating, finding a job, getting married, and buying a house.

Key Vocabulary & Auxiliary Verbs

Most life milestone verbs in the past require specific auxiliary verbs in the compound past (passato prossimo):

  • Laurearsi (to graduate) uses essere: Mi sono laureato (I graduated).
  • Trovare un lavoro (to find a job) uses avere: Ho trovato un lavoro (I found a job).
  • Traslocare (to move) uses essere: Sono traslocato (I moved).

Common Mistakes

Don't forget that reflexive verbs like laurearsi require reflexive pronouns (mi, ti, si, ci, vi, si) and agree in gender with the subject!

Milestone Italian Example English Translation
Laurea Mi sono laureato in economia. I graduated in economics.
Lavoro Ho trovato un nuovo lavoro. I found a new job.

Words

laurearsi
to graduate
Mi sono laureato l'anno scorso.I graduated last year.
trovare un lavoro
to find a job
Ho trovato un lavoro fantastico.I found a fantastic job.
andare a vivere da solo
to move out / live alone
Voglio andare a vivere da solo.I want to move out on my own.
firmare un contratto
to sign a contract
Ho firmato il contratto ieri.I signed the contract yesterday.
fare carriera
to advance one's career
Lei vuole fare carriera nel marketing.She wants to advance her career in marketing.
traslocare
to move (house)
Abbiamo deciso di traslocare a Roma.We decided to move to Rome.
promozione
promotion
Ho ricevuto una promozione oggi.I received a promotion today.
cambiare vita
to change one's life
Ho cambiato vita l'anno scorso.I changed my life last year.
matrimonio
wedding / marriage
Il loro matrimonio è stato bellissimo.Their wedding was beautiful.
stabilirsi
to settle down
Ci siamo stabiliti a Milano.We settled down in Milan.

Lessons are prepared with the help of AI.

Patterns

Ho deciso di ___

I decided to... (used to express a major life decision)

Ho deciso di cambiare vita.I decided to change my life.

Dopo aver ___, ho...

After having done something, I...

Dopo aver trovato un lavoro, ho comprato una macchina.After having found a job, I bought a car.

Mi sono ___ a ___

I (reflexive action) in a place

Mi sono stabilito a Firenze.I settled down in Florence.