Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| come ti permetti | informal, singular | |
| come si permette | formal, singular | |
| come vi permettete | plural | |
| come osa | formal, singular | |
| come osi | informal, singular | |
| come osate | plural | |
| non si vergogna | /non si verˈɡoɲ.ɲa/ (word by word) | formal, singular |
| non ti vergogni | informal, singular | |
| non vi vergognate | plural |
These phrases are used to express indignation and shock at another person's action.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase come ti permetti literally translates to 'how do you permit yourself'.
Which one should you use?
While come ti permetti focuses on the audacity of the action, non ti vergogni focuses on the lack of shame in the person's behavior. Additionally, come osi is more dramatic and slightly more literary than come ti permetti, often used in heightened emotional contexts or fiction.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Use the informal come ti permetti or come osi with people you know well. Use the formal come si permette or come osa when addressing a stranger or someone to whom you use the formal 'Lei'. The phrase non si vergogna is also a formal singular option.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing a group of two or more people, use the plural forms: come vi permettete, come osate or non vi vergognate.
Did you know?
- In some regional Italian dialects, the expression of indignation is often accompanied by a specific hand gesture involving the fingertips gathered together and moved up and down.
- Using the formal come osa instead of the informal come osi can actually make you sound more intimidating or authoritative in a heated argument.
- While come osi means 'how dare you', the verb osare is a direct relative of the English word 'audacious'.
Examples in context
- Come osi parlarmi così!How dare you talk to me like that!This sentence shows how to use come osi to express indignation about how someone is speaking to you.Tatoeba #5804867 by Guybrush88, translation #29974 by CM
- Come osa parlarmi così!How dare you speak like that to me!This sentence demonstrates using come osa to express shock at how someone is speaking to you.Tatoeba #5804868 by Guybrush88, translation #5800837 by CK
- Come osi chiedermi aiuto!How dare you ask me for help!This sentence shows how to use come osi to express indignation regarding someone asking for help.Tatoeba #8132163 by Guybrush88, translation #29970 by CM
- Come osi arrivare in ritardo!How dare you arrive late!
- Come si permette di fare un commento del genere!How dare you make such a comment!
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia has read Lorenzo's private diary.
- LorenzoCome ti permetti di leggere il mio diario!How dare you read my diary!
- GiuliaVolevo solo sapere cosa pensi di me.I just wanted to know what you think of me.
- LorenzoÈ una violazione della mia privacy!It's a violation of my privacy!
- GiuliaScusa, Lorenzo, non lo farò più.Sorry, Lorenzo, I won't do it again.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “how dare you” translations and entries come osi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (non, si, vergogna) and can differ in connected speech.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
