agitato
/a.d͡ʒiˈta.to/
The English word 'upset' can be translated into Italian as agitato.
agitato is used to describe someone who is angry, distressed or unhappy. While it covers the English sense of being 'upset', it more literally conveys a sense of being 'agitated' or 'restless' rather than purely feeling 'sad'.
Meaning: angry, distressed, unhappy (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the person or group being described. Use agitata for a woman (feminine singular), and agitati for a group of men or a mixed group. When describing a group consisting only of women, use the plural form agitate.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /a.dʒiˈta.to/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- While agitato describes a person's mood, the same word is used in Italian to describe 'shaken' eggs or a 'stirred' cocktail.
- In Italian music, the term agitato is a common tempo marking in sheet music, instructing the performer to play with a restless and unsettled energy.
- In a weather forecast, mare agitato refers to a 'rough sea' rather than an emotional state.
Examples in context
- Perché non è agitato?Why aren't you upset?This is useful for asking why someone is not upset using agitato.Tatoeba #4503784 by Guybrush88, translation #4502736 by CK
- Perché Tom è agitato?Why is Tom upset?This is useful for asking why Tom is upset using agitato.Tatoeba #4503844 by Guybrush88, translation #4502741 by CK
- Ero agitato.I was upset.This is useful for stating that you were upset using agitato.Tatoeba #2552306 by Guybrush88, translation #2247529 by CK
- Sono contrariato/a per l'atteggiamento di quel cliente.I am upset about that client's behavior.
- Sono arrabbiato/a con te perché mi hai mentito.I am upset with you because you lied to me.
- Non ne posso più di questa confusione.I can't take this confusion anymore.
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco is visibly stressed and Chiara asks him what is wrong.
- FrancescoSono molto agitato per l'esame di domani.I am very upset about tomorrow's exam.
- ChiaraCalmati, Francesco, andrà tutto bene.Calm down, Francesco, everything will be fine.
- FrancescoNon riesco a dormire perché sono agitato.I can't sleep because I'm upset.
- ChiaraCerca di rilassarti un po'.Try to relax a bit.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry agitato, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
