maledizione!
The English phrase "damn it!" can be translated into Italian as maledizione!
Other common ways to express similar feelings include Mannaggia!, which is a very common, slightly less intense exclamation used to express annoyance or bad luck and Dannazione!, which means "damnation!"
What does it mean word for word?
The word maledizione literally means "curse".
Which one should you use?
You can use several different forms depending on the intensity you want to convey. Accidenti! means "darn!" and is an informal expression, whereas merda! is a much stronger, vulgar way to express the same frustration. For a milder, more polite alternative similar to "darn it!", you can use cavolo!
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Dannazione! and Accidenti! are informal expressions. cavolo! is a milder, more polite way to express frustration.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Southern Italy, the expression Santiddio! is used to mean "holy God!"
Did you know?
- Italian has a vast category of bestemmie, which are specific curses targeting the divine. These are considered significantly more offensive than maledizione! and can even lead to fines in certain public contexts.
- To express frustration without using a 'curse', Italians often use the phrase Che palle!, which literally means 'what balls!'
- The expression cavolo! literally translates to 'cabbage!', but it is used as a polite euphemism for stronger swear words, much like saying 'crap!' in English.
Examples in context
- Maledizione! Ho perso le chiavi.Damn it! I lost my keys.
- Maledizione! È iniziato a piovere.Damn it! It started raining.
Example conversation
Giulia and Alessandro are trying to start a car that will not turn on.
- GiuliaMaledizione! La macchina non parte.Damn it! The car won't start.
- AlessandroSei sicura che ci sia benzina?Are you sure there is gas?
- GiuliaSì, ma la batteria è scarica.Yes, but the battery is dead.
- AlessandroAllora dobbiamo chiamare un meccanico.Then we have to call a mechanic.
