diarrea
/di.arˈrɛ.a/feminine
The English word diarrhea is diarrea in Italian.
diarrea is a feminine noun used to describe the medical condition of diarrhea. When expressing that you have this condition, you use the phrase avere la diarrea (to have the diarrhea) rather than saying you "are" diarrhea.
Meaning: medical condition (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
As a feminine noun, diarrea is used with the feminine definite article la, forming la diarrea.
How do you pronounce it?
/di.arˈrɛ.a/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
When spelling this word in Italian, ensure you double the 'r' in diarrea, as English speakers frequently forget this detail.
Did you know?
- While diarrea is the correct medical term, Italians often use the much more colloquial and slightly crude expression avere la cagata to describe a similar situation.
- If you are looking for a more polite, euphemistic way to describe the sensation of needing the bathroom urgently, you might say ho mal di pancia (I have a stomach ache).
- In an Italian medical context, a doctor may use the term scariche to describe the episodes of diarrea, which literally translates to 'discharges'.
Examples in context
- Io ho la diarrea.I have diarrhea.This sentence shows how to use diarrea to state that you have the condition.Tatoeba #1814266 by Guybrush88, translation #25352 by jejda
- Perché ha la diarrea?Why do you have diarrhea?This sentence uses diarrea to ask a question about why someone has the condition.Tatoeba #5290231 by Guybrush88, translation #5095985 by Derek495
- Tom morì di diarrea esplosiva.Tom died of explosive diarrhea.This sentence shows the use of diarrea when describing a cause of death.Tatoeba #13978564 by Guybrush88, translation #13976292 by rul
- Mi scuso, ma ho avuto un episodio di diarreaI apologize, but I had an episode of diarrhea
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara tells Matteo why she cannot go to lunch.
- ChiaraNon posso venire a pranzo, ho la diarrea.I can't come to lunch, I have diarrhea.
- MatteoMi dispiace, Chiara. Ti senti male?I'm sorry, Chiara. Do you feel sick?
- ChiaraSì, credo sia stata la cena di ieri.Yes, I think it was yesterday's dinner.
- MatteoRiposati e bevi molta acqua, Matteo.Rest and drink plenty of water, Matteo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “diarrhea” translations and entries diarrea, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
