malessere
/maˈlɛs.se.re/
The English phrase malaise is translated into Italian as malessere.
malessere refers to an ambiguous feeling of mental or moral depression.
Meaning: ambiguous feeling of mental or moral depression (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 'malessere' can refer to psychological malaise, it is very frequently used to describe physical discomfort or feeling unwell (nausea, dizziness, etc.).
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable: /maˈlɛs.se.re/.
Did you know?
- The root male in malessere is the opposite of bene, creating a linguistic symmetry where 'well-being' is benessere.
- The English word 'malaise' is actually a direct borrowing from French, but the Italian malessere is a native construction combining 'bad' and 'to be'.
- Unlike the English 'malaise', which sounds quite sophisticated, using malessere in a daily Italian conversation is completely common and does not sound overly formal.
Examples in context
- Pensi che la tua sensazione di malessere sia legata al tuo lavoro?Do you think your feeling of malaise is related to your job?Tatoeba #5209556 by madriot, translation #5208643 by AlanF_US
- Mi spiace, ma sto avvertendo un certo malessere.I'm sorry, but I'm feeling a certain malaise.
- Ho l'impressione di vivere nell'incertezza più totale, e questo crea un disagio notevole.I have the impression of living in complete uncertainty, and this creates considerable malaise.
- Sento un profondo malessere interiore oggi.I feel a deep inner malaise today.
- C'è un malessere generale in questa città.There is a general sense of malaise in this city.
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Martina are talking about the heavy atmosphere in their office.
- LorenzoSenti anche tu questo malessere nell'ufficio?Do you feel this malaise in the office too?
- MartinaSì, Lorenzo, l'atmosfera è davvero pesante.Yes, Lorenzo, the atmosphere is really heavy.
- LorenzoSembra che manchi la motivazione a tutti.It seems like everyone is lacking motivation.
- MartinaÈ proprio così, sembra un malessere collettivo.That is exactly it, it feels like a collective malaise.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry malessere, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
