Italian for Finding Common Ground in a Disagreement
Learn intermediate Italian phrases to identify shared goals during a disagreement, using structures like 'vogliamo tutti e due' and 'siamo d'accordo su'.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
When a conversation becomes a disagreement, one of the most useful intermediate skills in Italian is not winning the argument but naming what both people still share. This lesson teaches you concrete phrases to say 'we both want the same result', 'on this point we agree', and 'we are looking for the same thing'. You will practise the verb volere, the pronoun ci, and the useful structure essere d'accordo su qualcosa. The focus is on agreement, not on conceding or avoiding the issue.
By the end, you can…
- identify a shared goal in Italian using 'vogliamo tutti e due' and similar phrases.
- say what both speakers agree on with 'siamo d'accordo su' and 'su questo punto'.
- keep a disagreement calm by shifting to common ground in Italian.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Vogliamo tutti e due la stessa cosa.
We both want the same thing.
vol-LYAH-mo TOOT-tee eh DOO-eh lah STES-sah KOH-zah
Use tutti e due for two people, including yourself. It is neutral and works in both formal and informal conversations.
Su questo punto siamo d'accordo.
On this point we agree.
soo KWEH-sto POON-toh SYAH-mo dahk-KOR-doh
Su questo punto limits the agreement to one specific point, which keeps the conversation precise.
Anche io voglio lo stesso risultato.
I also want the same result.
AN-keh EE-oh VOL-lyoh loh STES-soh ree-zool-TAH-toh
Anche io means 'I too'. Use it to show that your position is not opposed to the other person's goal.
Cerchiamo la stessa soluzione.
We are looking for the same solution.
cher-CHAH-mo lah STES-sah soh-loot-TSYOH-neh
Cerchiamo is the noi form of cercare. It presents the search as shared, not as a demand.
Partiamo da quello che ci unisce.
Let's start from what unites us.
par-TYAH-mo dah KWEL-loh keh chee oo-NEE-sheh
Ci unisce literally means 'unites us'. This phrase is useful when the discussion has become tense.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 'Vogliamo tutti e due...' plus a noun phrase: Vogliamo tutti e due la stessa cosa. You can also use 'Cerchiamo tutti e due...' with a noun: Cerchiamo tutti e due una soluzione giusta. The adjective stesso / stessa agrees with the noun: lo stesso risultato, la stessa soluzione. For more than two people, use 'vogliamo tutti quanti' or simply 'vogliamo tutti'. These phrases do not deny the disagreement; they put the shared goal first.
When to use it
Use these phrases when the other person seems to hear only opposition. For example, after 'Non sono d'accordo con il tuo metodo', you can answer 'Va bene, però vogliamo tutti e due la stessa cosa'. Use 'Su questo punto siamo d'accordo' when you agree on one detail but not on everything. Avoid using these phrases to change the subject; they should name a real shared goal. In formal contexts, prefer 'siamo entrambi d'accordo' or 'condividiamo lo stesso obiettivo'.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Secondo me il progetto va cambiato completamente.
In my opinion the project needs to be changed completely.seh-KON-doh meh eel proh-JET-toh vah kam-BYA-toh kom-pleh-tah-MEN-tehNon sono d'accordo sul metodo, però vogliamo tutti e due la stessa cosa.
I don't agree with the method, but we both want the same thing.non SOH-noh dahk-KOR-doh sool MEH-toh-doh peh-ROH vol-LYAH-mo TOOT-tee eh DOO-eh lah STES-sah KOH-zahSì, su questo punto siamo d'accordo. Anche io voglio un risultato chiaro.
Yes, on this point we agree. I also want a clear result.see soo KWEH-sto POON-toh SYAH-mo dahk-KOR-doh AN-keh EE-oh VOL-lyoh oon ree-zool-TAH-toh KYAH-rohAllora partiamo da quello che ci unisce e poi discutiamo i dettagli.
Then let's start from what unites us and then discuss the details.al-LOH-rah par-TYAH-mo dah KWEL-loh keh chee oo-NEE-sheh eh poy dee-skoo-TYAH-mo ee deht-TAH-lyeeA little context goes a long way
In Italian conversation, disagreement is often expressed directly, but naming a shared goal softens the exchange without sounding evasive. 'Siamo d'accordo su questo punto' is common in meetings and formal discussions. In informal speech, 'vogliamo tutti e due la stessa cosa' sounds natural and sincere. Regional usage varies: in some southern regions, dialect forms such as 'tutti e dui' may be heard, but standard Italian uses 'tutti e due'. Avoid overusing these phrases; they work best when the shared goal is real.
One thing to watch for
Using 'siamo d'accordo' to mean 'we agree completely' when you only agree on one point.
Try this instead: Limit the agreement with 'su questo punto' or 'su una cosa': Su questo punto siamo d'accordo, ma sul metodo no. Without this limit, 'siamo d'accordo' can sound like full agreement.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'We both want the same result' in Italian?
Show a sample answer
Vogliamo tutti e due lo stesso risultato.
This uses volere in the noi form, tutti e due for two people, and stesso agreeing with risultato. You could also say 'Vogliamo entrambi lo stesso risultato', which is slightly more formal.
2Which phrase limits agreement to one specific point?
Show a sample answer
Su questo punto siamo d'accordo.
Su questo punto means 'on this point'. It prevents the listener from thinking you agree with everything. 'Su questo siamo d'accordo' is also correct but slightly less precise.
3Translate: 'Let's start from what unites us.'
Show a sample answer
Partiamo da quello che ci unisce.
Partiamo is the noi imperative. Ci unisce means 'unites us'. A valid alternative is 'Partiamo da ciò che ci unisce', which is more formal.
In a disagreement, name the shared goal first: 'Vogliamo tutti e due la stessa cosa' or 'Su questo punto siamo d'accordo'. It keeps the discussion precise and calm.
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