non riuscivi a

you couldn't

→ non

phrase Rare #41,468

you couldn't Used with an infinitive to say that someone was unable to do something. It is the informal singular form; depending on context, it can also address one person formally.

IT: Non riuscivi a vedere il palco da lì.

EN: You couldn't see the stage from there.

Non riuscivi a dormire.

You couldn't sleep.

— Dangal (2016)

Quando Sarajevo fu spazzata via, tu non riuscivi a perdonarti.

When Sarajevo was wiped out, you couldn't forgive yourself.

— L'organo genocida (2017)

Perché senza, non riuscivi a sentirmi.

Because without it, you couldn’t hear me.

— Malcolm X (1992)

Non lo sapevo che non riuscivi a cantare.

I didn't know you couldn't sing.