ho il cuore spezzato
The English phrase "my heart is broken" is translated into Italian as ho il cuore spezzato.
This phrase is used to express extreme sadness or grief, usually after a romantic breakup or a loss.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ho il cuore spezzato literally translates to "I have the broken heart"
Which one should you use?
You may also encounter the idiom avere il cuore a pezzi, which means "to have one's heart in pieces."
How does it change in a sentence?
To emphasize the sudden or involuntary nature of the heartbreak, you can use the reflexive construction mi si è spezzato il cuore, which means "my heart broke (on me)."
Did you know?
- In Italian culture, a 'broken heart' is sometimes linked to the phrase strazio, a word that describes a tearing or shredding sensation that has no single-word equivalent in English.
- The word cuore comes from the Latin cor, which is also the root of the English word 'core', reflecting the idea of the heart as the center of a person.
- The definite article il contains a 'svarabhakti' vowel, an extra sound added over time simply to make the pronunciation easier for the speaker.
Examples in context
- Mi ha detto che non vuole più vedermi, il mio cuore è spezzato.She told me she doesn't want to see me anymore, my heart is broken.
- Dopo la sua partenza, ho il cuore spezzato.After his departure, my heart is broken.
- Senza di te, ho il cuore spezzato.Without you, my heart is broken.
- Ho il cuore spezzato per questa perdita.My heart is broken because of this loss.
Example conversation
Matteo and Giulia are talking about his recent breakup.
- MatteoGiulia, non riesco a dimenticarla.Giulia, I cannot forget her.
- GiuliaMi dispiace tanto, Matteo.I am so sorry, Matteo.
- MatteoSì, ho il cuore spezzato.Yes, my heart is broken.
- GiuliaTi capisco, è un momento difficile.I understand you, it is a difficult time.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuore, il, CC BY-SA 4.0.
