al verde
/al ˈver.de/word by wordinvariable
In Italian, 'broke' can be expressed in several ways depending on the context, primarily using al verde. Wiktionary also lists in bancarotta and fallito.
Meaning: lacking money, bankrupt (adj)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| al verde | /al ˈver.de/ (word by word) | invariable |
| in bancarotta | ||
| fallito | /falˈli.to/ |
The phrase is used to describe someone who is lacking money or is bankrupt.
Which one should you use?
al verde is a colloquial way to describe everyday situations where one has run out of money. In contrast, in bancarotta is used for formal or legal bankruptcy. Additionally, fallito refers more specifically to a person who has failed in life or business rather than simply being in a state of having no money.
How does it change in a sentence?
al verde is an invariable phrase, meaning it does not change its form to match gender or number.
How do you pronounce it?
/al ˈver.de/. The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The word bancarotta comes from banca meaning 'bench' and rotta meaning 'broken'. It refers to the ancient practice of physically breaking a money-changer's bench to signal they could no longer do business.
- The phrase al verde literally translates to 'at the green', which might seem nonsensical to an English speaker describing a lack of funds.
- The term fallito carries a much heavier social stigma than al verde. While the latter is a temporary financial state, fallito can describe a person as a total failure in life.
Examples in context
- Tom è al verde.Tom is broke.This sentence is useful for showing the current state of a person using al verde.Tatoeba #3838241 by Guybrush88, translation #3171316 by CK
- Io ero al verde.I was broke.This sentence is useful for showing the past state of a person using al verde.Tatoeba #2551857 by Guybrush88, translation #2247464 by CK
- È al verde, vero?He's broke, isn't he?This sentence is useful for asking a question about someone's state using al verde.Tatoeba #8694395 by Guybrush88, translation #8526322 by CH
- Sono senza soldiI am broke
- Mi trovo in difficoltà finanziarieI find myself in financial difficulties
- L'azienda si trova in ristrettezze economicheThe company is broke
- Non posso uscire stasera, sono a seccoI can't go out tonight, I am broke
- Sono senza soldi, quindi non posso venire al ristorante stasera.I am broke, so I can't come to the restaurant tonight.
- Dopo quelle vacanze costose, sono completamente sfondato/a.After those expensive vacations, I am completely broke.
- 177 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their budget in a cafe.
- MatteoVuoi uscire a cena stasera?Do you want to go out for dinner tonight?
- ChiaraNo, sono al verde questo mese.No, I am broke this month.
- MatteoPeccato, anche io sono al verde.Too bad, I am broke too.
- ChiaraAllora restiamo a casa.Then let's stay at home.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “broke” translations and entries al verde, fallito, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (al, verde) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries al verde, bancarotta, in, verde, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
