Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| incolpare | /in.kolˈpa.re/ |
| biasimare | /bja.ziˈma.re/ |
| dare torto | /ˈda.re ˈtɔr.to/ (word by word) |
The verb incolpare is used when you are assigning responsibility for a specific action, mistake or crime. You may also use the noun colpa, which can mean fault, responsibility or blame. For example, the phrase È colpa mia is the standard way to admit that something is your fault.
Which one should you use?
The word incolpare is used to assign responsibility for a specific fault or crime. In contrast, dare torto is used to say that someone is incorrect in their judgment or opinion rather than accusing them of a crime. The form biasimare is also an available way to express blame.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun colpa is used in the common expression dare la colpa a qualcuno, which means to blame someone.
How do you pronounce it?
/in.kolˈpa.re/. The word has four syllables, with the stress on the third syllable.
Did you know?
- The verb biasimare is a linguistic relative of blasfemare, which means to blaspheme. Both words evolved from a root describing the act of speaking ill of something.
- In Italian legal contexts, the word colpa distinguishes between 'negligence' and 'dolus' (intentional harm), which affects how one is blamed in court.
- The phrase dare la colpa literally means 'to give the fault'. This differs from English, where blame is usually 'placed' or 'assigned' rather than given like a gift.
Examples in context
- È lei da incolpare.It is you who are to blame.This sentence is useful for saying someone is to blame using incolpare.Tatoeba #1530418 by Guybrush88, translation #272271 by CM
- Non è da incolpare.You're not to blame.Tatoeba #5495900 by Guybrush88, translation #2057770 by CK
- Sei tu da incolpare.It is you who is to blame.Tatoeba #968039 by Guybrush88, translation #28648 by CC
- Non posso incolparti per questa situazioneI can't blame you for this situation
- Non ti devi incolpare per il mio erroreYou shouldn't blame yourself for my mistake
- Non cercare di darmi la colpa per i tuoi erroriDon't try to blame me for your mistakes
- 178 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Giulia are discussing a broken vase.
- MatteoChi ha rotto il vaso? Voglio incolpare qualcuno!Who broke the vase? I want to blame someone!
- GiuliaNon puoi incolpare me, non ero nemmeno qui.You can't blame me, I wasn't even here.
- MatteoAllora chi devo incolpare per questo disastro?Then who should I blame for this disaster?
- GiuliaForse è stato il gatto, Matteo.Maybe it was the cat, Matteo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “blame” translations and entries incolpare, biasimare, dare torto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (dare, torto) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries biasimare, dare, torto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
