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lui riusciva

was able to, managed to

→ riuscire
riusc to succeed; to manage (to do something) + iva 3rd-person singular imperfect
verb · third singular · imperfect indicative Rare #26,284
was able to, managed to Imperfect past; often implies repeated/ongoing ability or attempts in the past.
IT: Non riusciva a dormire la notte.
EN: He/She couldn't sleep at night.
Conjugation of riuscire
Indicative imperfect
SingularPlural
First riuscivo —
Second riuscivi —
Third riusciva riuscivano

Mary mi disse che riusciva ad aiutarci.

Mary told me she could help us.

Le riusciva bene, complimenti.

You were good at it, congratulations.

— La donna che canta (2010)

Non riusciva mai a trovare le sue cose quando ne aveva bisogno.

He could never find his things when he needed them.

Mia sorella voleva solo dimagrire, ma non ci riusciva.

My sister just wanted to lose weight, but she couldn't.

— Léon (1994)

Non riusciva assolutamente a tollerare l'odore orribile della cipolla marcia.

He absolutely couldn't stand the horrible smell of the rotten onion.

Era uno che non riusciva nemmeno ad allacciarsi le scarpe senza aiuto.

He was a guy who couldn't even tie his shoes without help.

— Mystic River (2003)

Non riusciva mai ad andare via.

He could never manage to leave.

— Effetto notte (1973)

Mary mi ha detto che riusciva ad aiutarci.

Mary told me she could help us.

Questa bambina non riusciva parlare, lo ricordo chiaramente.

This little girl couldn't speak; I remember it clearly.

— Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015)

Mary non riusciva nemmeno a scrivere il suo nome.

Mary couldn't even write her name.