certificato medico
/t͡ʃer.ti.fiˈka.to ˈmɛ.di.ko/word by word
The English phrase 'sick note' is translated into Italian as certificato medico.
In Italy, the term certificato medico is the standard way to refer to the official document required by employers or schools to justify an absence due to illness.
Meaning: note from a doctor certifying a worker's or a student's sickness (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase certificato medico literally translates to 'medical certificate'.
Which one should you use?
While certificato medico is the standard term, you may also encounter giustificativo medico. This second term is slightly more generic and refers to a medical document used as a justification for an absence.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of certificato medico is certificati medici.
How do you pronounce it?
{'ipa': '/tʃer.ti.fiˈka.to ˈmɛ.di.ko/', 'syllables': 8, 'stressed_syllable': '4 of 8'}
Did you know?
- Because of modern digital systems, you may never actually see your certificato medico. Doctors often transmit the document electronically directly to the National Health Service and your employer.
- If a patient is too ill to leave the house, they can request a visita domiciliare, where the doctor travels to the home to provide the certificato medico.
- While certificato medico is the formal name of the document, Italians colloquially describe the state of being on sick leave as essere in malattia, meaning 'to be in illness'.
Examples in context
- Scusa, ma mi serve un certificato di malattiaSorry, but I need a sick note
- Devo consegnare il certificato medico a scuola.I have to hand in the sick note at school.
- Il mio capo ha chiesto il certificato medico.My boss asked for the sick note.
- Hai già preso il certificato medico dal dottore?Have you already gotten the sick note from the doctor?
Example conversation
Sofia is calling Alessandro to ask why he is not at work.
- AlessandroNon posso venire al lavoro oggi.I cannot come to work today.
- SofiaHai già preso il certificato medico?Have you already gotten the sick note?
- AlessandroSì, ho il certificato medico pronto.Yes, I have the sick note ready.
- SofiaVa bene, invialo via email.Alright, send it via email.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (certificato, medico) and can differ in connected speech.
