qualcuno è venuto a mancare
The Italian phrase for "someone passed away" is qualcuno è venuto a mancare.
This phrase is used as a polite euphemism to say that someone has died.
What does it mean word for word?
The part venuto a mancare literally translates to "come to be missing".
Which one should you use?
While è morto is a direct way to say "died", è venuto a mancare is the preferred euphemism used to show respect and avoid the bluntness of the word morto.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase qualcuno è venuto a mancare is a formal and polite euphemism used in condolences or when discussing death with grieving families.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because venire (to come) is an intransitive verb of motion/state change, it uses the auxiliary verb essere (to be) rather than avere (to have) to form the past tense.
Did you know?
- The word mancare comes from the Latin mancus, which originally described someone who was maimed or missing a limb.
- In Italian, if you say mi manchi, you are telling someone 'I miss you', using the same root as the phrase for passing away.
- Italian has a concept called il lutto, which refers to the specific period of mourning and the corresponding black clothing worn by the family.
Examples in context
- Mi dispiace per la sua perdita. Sua madre era una donna straordinaria e sarà ricordata sempre.I'm sorry for your loss. Your mother was an extraordinary woman and she will be remembered forever.
- È un momento difficile perché qualcuno è venuto a mancare.It is a difficult moment because someone passed away.
Example conversation
Alessandro and Chiara are talking about why a mutual friend is absent.
- AlessandroSai perché Marco non è qui oggi?Do you know why Marco isn't here today?
- ChiaraPurtroppo qualcuno è venuto a mancare nella sua famiglia.Unfortunately, someone in his family has passed away.
- AlessandroOh, non lo sapevo. Che brutta notizia.Oh, I didn't know. That's terrible news.
- ChiaraSì, Chiara, è un momento molto difficile.Yes, Chiara, it is a very difficult time.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, mancare, qualcuno, è, CC BY-SA 4.0.
