Mi annoio
The English phrase "I am bored" is translated into Italian as Mi annoio.
Mi annoio is used to express that a person feels weary and restless because they have nothing to do.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase uses a reflexive verb where mi means "myself" and annoio means "I bore".
Which one should you use?
While Mi annoio describes the active feeling of becoming bored, the forms Sono annoiato (masculine) or Sono annoiata (feminine) are used to describe the state of being bored.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly say Io sono noioso to mean "I am bored". However, this actually means "I am a boring person".
Did you know?
- If you are bored with a specific person, you might say Mi sono stufato, which uses the verb for 'stuffing' a sausage to imply you are 'full' or 'fed up' with them.
- In certain regional dialects, a person feeling extreme boredom might use the word palle, a colloquial way of saying they are 'fed up' with a situation.
- If you find a situation incredibly dull, you might use the hyperbole Mi annoio a morte, which literally translates to 'I bore myself to death'.
Examples in context
- Sono stufo(a) di fare sempre le stesse coseI am tired of always doing the same things
- Mi annoio a morte.I am bored to death.
- Mi annoio quando aspetto il treno.I get bored when I wait for the train.
- Mi annoio perché non c'è niente da fare.I am bored because there is nothing to do.
Example conversation
Chiara and Lorenzo are sitting in a quiet café with no books or phones.
- ChiaraMi annoio moltissimo qui.I am very bored here.
- LorenzoAnch'io, non succede nulla.Me too, nothing is happening.
- ChiaraDovremmo andare al cinema, Lorenzo.We should go to the cinema, Lorenzo.
- LorenzoOttima idea, andiamo subito.Great idea, let's go right now.
