cavarsela
to manage, to get by, to cope
Intermediate Verb
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Pronunciation
/ka.ˈvar.se.la/
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Cultural Note
A pronominal verb deeply connected to 'l'arte di arrangiarsi.' Italians love asking 'come te la cavi?' (how do you manage?) about skills or situations. It implies resourcefulness and adaptability — core Italian values. Widely used across all registers, from casual to semi-formal.
📝 Example Sentences
Me la cavo bene in cucina.
I manage well in the kitchen.
Come te la cavi con l'italiano?
How are you getting by with Italian?
Se l'è cavata per un pelo!
He barely made it through!