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io dovetti

had to, was obliged to

d o ˈv ɛ t . t i → dovere
dov must; owe + etti I-form simple past
auxiliary · 1st-person singular, past tense Uncommon #11,765
had to, was obliged to This past form is used mainly in written narratives and in spoken Italian in some regions.
IT: Dovetti finire il lavoro prima di uscire.
EN: I had to finish the work before going out.
Conjugation of dovere
Indicative past
SingularPlural
First dovetti dovemmo
Third dovette dovettero

Le dovetti licenziare.

I had to fire them.

Dovetti provare a convincerlo.

I had to try to convince him.

Li dovetti licenziare.

I had to fire them.

Dovetti andare a Glendale per una polizza per dei camion.

I had to go to Glendale for some truck insurance.

— La fiamma del peccato (1944)

Dovetti licenziarlo.

I had to fire him.

Dovetti prendere qualcosa dalla mia camera.

I had to get something from my room.

Non dovetti aspettare molto.

I didn’t have to wait long.

Lo dovetti arrestare.

I had to arrest him.

Dovetti aspettare che si svegliasse.

I had to wait for him to wake up.

Dovetti lasciarli vincere.

I had to let them win.

Dovetti pagare un interesse alto.

I had to pay high interest.

Le dovetti lasciare vincere.

I had to let her win.

Dovetti prenotare un volo per lei.

I had to book a flight for her.

Lo dovetti licenziare.

I had to fire him.

Li dovetti lasciare andare.

I had to let them go.

Dovetti farlo per tre anni.

I had to do it for three years.

Dovetti lavare le mie calze.

I had to wash my socks.

Quando dovetti scegliere un college, scelsi il più lontano da casa.

When I had to choose a college, I chose the one farthest from home.

— L'uomo dei sogni (1989)

Dovetti arrestarlo.

I had to arrest him.

Dovetti lasciarli andare.

I had to let them go.

Le dovetti lasciare andare.

I had to let them go.

Dovetti prendere qualcosa dalla mia stanza.

I had to get something from my room.

Non dovetti neanche alzare troppo la voce per farmi sentire dai vicini.

I didn’t even have to raise my voice much for the neighbors to hear me.

Lo dovetti lasciare andare.

I had to let him go.

Ma poi dovetti controllare le mie emozioni.

But then I had to control my emotions.

— 3 Idiots (2009)

Dovetti cercare di convincerla.

I had to try to convince her.

Dovetti lasciarlo andare.

I had to let him go.

Dovetti portarli a scuola.

I had to take them to school.