ansia
/ˈan.sja/
The Italian word for anxiety is ansia.
ansia refers to a state of uneasiness, nervousness, apprehension and obsession. If you want to describe the feeling of being anxious, you use the adjective ansioso for a masculine subject or ansiosa for a feminine subject. To specifically say someone is having an anxiety attack, the common phrase is un attacco d'ansia.
Meaning: state of uneasiness, nervousness, apprehension and obsession (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ansia is the standard noun, the diminutive ansietta is used in informal contexts to affectionately describe a feeling of mild anxiety.
How does it change in a sentence?
ansia is a feminine noun. The related adjectives change gender: ansioso is used for masculine subjects and ansiosa for feminine subjects.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈan.sja/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word ansioso can be used to mean 'impatient' or 'longing for' something, making it a synonym for 'eager'.
- Italian differentiates between ansia, a general state of unease, and angoscia, which implies a deeper, more suffocating feeling of anguish or dread.
- Italians often use the expression mi dà l'ansia to describe an object, person or situation that triggers their nervousness, rather than just describing their internal state.
Examples in context
- Soffre di disturbi d'ansia.He suffers from anxiety disorders.This sentence is useful for showing how to discuss anxiety disorders using ansia.Tatoeba #12107645 by Nuel, translation #12107644 by Nuel
- Tom ebbe un attacco d'ansia.Tom had an anxiety attack.This sentence shows the phrase used for an anxiety attack using ansia.Tatoeba #3499084 by Guybrush88, translation #3498738 by Hybrid
- Provò a nascondere la sua ansia.He tried to hide his anxiety.This sentence demonstrates how to express the act of hiding one's anxiety using ansia.Tatoeba #10692915 by Guybrush88, translation #7391456 by CH
- Sento un'ansia costanteI feel constant anxiety
- L'agitazione mi pervadeAnxiety overwhelms me
- Ho un po' di ansiettaI have a little bit of anxiety
- Ho una preoccupatina per domaniI have a little bit of anxiety about tomorrow
- Mi prende un po' di inquietudineI feel a bit of anxiety
- Mi sento molto agitato ultimamente.I've been feeling very anxious lately.
- Capisco, l'ansia può davvero essere difficile da affrontare.I understand, anxiety can be really challenging.
- 42 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Sofia are sitting in a quiet cafe.
- FrancescoSento molta ansia per l'esame di domani.I feel a lot of anxiety about tomorrow's exam.
- SofiaÈ normale, ma cerca di rilassarti, Francesco.It is normal, but try to relax, Francesco.
- FrancescoNon riesco a fermare questa sensazione di ansia.I cannot stop this feeling of anxiety.
- SofiaVuoi bere un tè caldo per calmarti?Do you want to drink a hot tea to calm down?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ansia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
