المعنى
Scolding someone severely.
خلفية ثقافية
The 'lavata di capo' is often seen as a necessary part of 'educazione' (upbringing). It's not just about punishment, but about teaching a lesson. In many Italian SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises), the relationship between boss and employee is paternalistic, making this idiom very common. In the South, these reprimands can be particularly expressive and involve a lot of hand gestures and proverbs. Classic 19th and 20th-century novels often use this phrase to describe the strict social codes of the time.
Use 'Bella'
Add the adjective 'bella' (una bella lavata di capo) to sound more like a native speaker when describing a particularly intense scolding.
Hierarchy Matters
Don't use this if you are scolding your boss! It only works from top to bottom.
المعنى
Scolding someone severely.
Use 'Bella'
Add the adjective 'bella' (una bella lavata di capo) to sound more like a native speaker when describing a particularly intense scolding.
Hierarchy Matters
Don't use this if you are scolding your boss! It only works from top to bottom.
The 'Testa' Alternative
In Rome and Milan, you'll hear 'lavata di testa' just as often as 'lavata di capo'.
اختبر نفسك
Completa la frase con la forma corretta del verbo 'fare'.
Ieri il professore mi ___ una lavata di capo per non aver fatto i compiti.
The sentence refers to 'ieri' (yesterday), so the Passato Prossimo 'ha fatto' is required.
In quale di queste situazioni useresti l'espressione?
Scegli la situazione corretta:
The idiom describes a stern reprimand from an authority figure.
Completa il dialogo.
A: Perché sei così triste? B: Il mio allenatore mi ha fatto una ___ di capo.
The fixed idiom is 'lavata di capo'.
Qual è il significato figurato di 'fare una lavata di capo'?
Scegli la definizione corretta:
The idiom means to scold someone.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Who gives a 'Lavata di Capo'?
Work
- • Il Capo
- • Il Direttore
- • Il Manager
Family
- • La Mamma
- • Il Papà
- • Il Nonno
Education
- • Il Professore
- • Il Preside
- • L'Allenatore
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينIeri il professore mi ___ una lavata di capo per non aver fatto i compiti.
The sentence refers to 'ieri' (yesterday), so the Passato Prossimo 'ha fatto' is required.
Scegli la situazione corretta:
The idiom describes a stern reprimand from an authority figure.
A: Perché sei così triste? B: Il mio allenatore mi ha fatto una ___ di capo.
The fixed idiom is 'lavata di capo'.
Scegli la definizione corretta:
The idiom means to scold someone.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةNo, it's not offensive, but it describes an unpleasant situation. It's a standard way to talk about being scolded.
Usually, it's reserved for more significant errors that require a long explanation or lecture.
'Sgridare' is the general verb for scolding. 'Fare una lavata di capo' is more specific, implying a thorough, authoritative lecture.
Yes! 'Prendere' or 'ricevere' are used when you are the one being scolded.
It's better to avoid it in very formal business letters. Use 'richiamo' instead.
In this idiom, 'capo' means 'head'. However, the scolding often comes *from* a boss (capo), which makes it easy to remember!
Yes, it's a very common idiom that hasn't gone out of style.
Yes, but usually in a joking way, like 'Non farmi la lavata di capo!' when a friend is acting too serious.
It would be 'fare delle lavate di capo', but it's rarely used in the plural.
Often accompanied by a wagging index finger or hands held out as if explaining something obvious.
عبارات ذات صلة
dare una strigliata
synonymTo give a sharp reprimand.
fare un predicozzo
similarTo give a long, moralizing lecture.
cantarne quattro
similarTo tell someone off bluntly.
fare i complimenti
contrastTo give compliments.
