permetterci

Permettersi is an Italian verb whose infinitive form with the clitic pronoun ci, permetterci, is used to express either that a person or group can afford something or that they allow themselves to do something. The ci refers to the subject, most often noi (we), and the phrase can convey a sense of restraint or prudence about resources, or the act of offering oneself the liberty to act.

In its financial sense, permettersi means “to afford,” “to be able to allow oneself,” typically with negative or cautious nuance. Common constructions include non possiamo permetterci di fare qualcosa (we cannot afford to do something) and il budget non ci permette di investire (the budget does not allow us to invest). The form can appear with di + infinitive, as in possiamo permetterci di partire domani, where the infinitive is governed by the preceding verb of ability or permission.

In the sense of giving oneself permission to act, permettersi is used in more formal or polite contexts, often with di + infinitive after verbs like chiedere or dire, as in mi permetto di chiedere (I would venture to ask) or ci permettiamo di esprimere un punto di vista (we allow ourselves to express a point of view). The pronominal version belongs to the broader family of pronominal verbs in Italian; the past tense is formed with essere, e.g., ci siamo permessi.

Examples illustrate the two main uses: non possiamo permetterci di concederci una vacanza; mi permetto di osservare che questa lettura potrebbe essere discutibile.