girarsi e rigirarsi
The English phrase "toss and turn" is translated into Italian as girarsi e rigirarsi.
The phrase is used to describe the act of being unable to settle into a comfortable sleeping position.
Meaning: be unable to settle into a comfortable sleeping position (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the reflexive verb girarsi (to turn oneself) and the reduplicated form rigirarsi (to turn oneself over and over).
How does it change in a sentence?
This phrase is used as an intransitive reflexive verb phrase to describe the subject's own movement.
Did you know?
- The verb girare is so versatile that it can mean 'to turn a key', 'to film a movie' or 'to go around a city'. This makes the phrase girarsi e rigirarsi a play on the word's meaning of circular motion.
- If you were tossing and turning due to anxiety, an Italian might say you are 'rivoltarsi' in bed, which implies a more profound, heavy agitation.
- The phrase girarsi e rigirarsi is often paired with the expression non chiudere occhio, which means 'to not close an eye'. Together they describe a night of total insomnia.
Examples in context
- Ho passato la notte a girarmi e rigirarmi nel letto.I spent the night tossing and turning in bed.
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Chiara are having breakfast in the kitchen.
- LorenzoHai dormito bene, Chiara?Did you sleep well, Chiara?
- ChiaraNo, ho passato ore a girarsi e rigirarsi nel letto.No, I spent hours tossing and turning in bed.
- LorenzoDavvero? Forse faceva troppo caldo.Really? Maybe it was too hot.
- ChiaraSì, non riuscivo a trovare una posizione comoda.Yes, I couldn't find a comfortable position.
