Sono stanco
I am tired
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'Sono stanco' to tell someone you're tired and need a break or sleep.
- Means: I am tired (physical or mental fatigue).
- Used in: After work, late at night, or after exercise.
- Don't confuse: Use 'essere' (to be), never 'avere' (to have) for tiredness.
Explanation at your level:
المعنى
Feeling a need for rest.
خلفية ثقافية
The 'pausa caffè' is not just for caffeine; it's a social ritual to break the 'stanchezza' of the workday. Saying 'Sono stanco' is often an invitation for a coffee break. The 'controra' (the hottest hours of the early afternoon) is a time when everyone is expected to be 'stanco' and rest. Shops close and streets go quiet. Complaining about being 'stanco' can be a way to show you are a hard worker. It's a form of 'humble bragging' about one's productivity. Mothers often use 'Sono stanca' to signal that they need help with chores or that the children need to be quiet. It carries a weight of authority.
Gender Check
Always check who is speaking. If you're a woman, it's 'stanca'—even if you're talking to a man.
No 'Avere'
Never say 'Ho stanco'. It's the most common beginner mistake!
المعنى
Feeling a need for rest.
Gender Check
Always check who is speaking. If you're a woman, it's 'stanca'—even if you're talking to a man.
No 'Avere'
Never say 'Ho stanco'. It's the most common beginner mistake!
Add 'Morto'
To sound like a native after a really long day, add 'morto'. It shows you really know the language.
Polite Refusal
In Italy, 'Sono stanco' is a very polite and unquestioned way to say no to an invitation.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the correct form of 'stanco' (stanco, stanca, stanchi, stanche).
Giulia ha lavorato tutto il giorno. Lei è molto ____.
Giulia is a female singular subject, so the adjective must end in 'a'.
Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence.
Io ____ stanco morto oggi.
Tiredness in Italian uses the verb 'essere' (to be). 'Io sono' is the first person singular.
Match the Italian phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These cover the basic variations of the phrase.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: Andiamo in discoteca stasera? B: No, scusa, ____.
'Sono stanco' is the standard way to decline an invitation due to fatigue.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
The Four Forms of Stanco
Masculine
- • Singular: Stanco
- • Plural: Stanchi
Feminine
- • Singular: Stanca
- • Plural: Stanche
Stanco vs. Faticoso
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةGenerally no. It describes a feeling. However, in C1/C2 levels, you might hear 'un colore stanco' (a faded color), but it's very poetic.
'Stanco' is tired; 'sfinito' is completely exhausted/finished.
No, 'Sono stanco' already implies 'I' because of the verb 'sono'.
You say 'Sono stanco di te'. Be careful, it's quite strong!
Yes, but if you specifically mean you are sleepy, you say 'Ho sonno'.
Yes, it means 'I'm fed up with this'.
The plural for a group of females is 'stanche'.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Use the verb 'Mi sto stancando'.
Yes, 'Sono fuso' (I'm melted) or 'Sono scoppiato' (I'm popped/burst).
عبارات ذات صلة
Stanco morto
specialized formDead tired
Essere a pezzi
synonymTo be in pieces
Sfinito
synonymExhausted
Stancarsi
builds onTo get tired
Faticoso
contrastTiring
أين تستخدمها
After a long work shift
Collega: Hai finito il report?
Tu: Sì, finalmente. Ma ora sono stanco morto.
Declining a party invitation
Amico: Vieni alla festa stasera?
Tu: Mi dispiace, sono troppo stanca. Resto a casa.
At the gym with a trainer
Trainer: Ancora dieci flessioni!
Tu: Non ce la faccio, sono stanco!
Late night at home
Partner: Guardiamo un altro film?
Tu: No, sono stanco. Vado a letto.
Complaining about traffic
Tu: Sono stanco di questo traffico ogni mattina!
Passeggero: Hai ragione, è terribile.
After a long hike
Guida: Siamo quasi arrivati.
Tu: Meno male, le mie gambe sono stanche.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Tank' (Stanco) that is empty and needs to be refilled with gas (rest).
Visual Association
Imagine a giant, heavy Italian 'O' (for stanco) or 'A' (for stanca) sitting on your shoulders, making it hard to walk.
Rhyme
Se sei stanco, siediti sul banco. (If you are tired, sit on the bench.)
Story
Marco worked all day in Rome. He walked past the Colosseum, but he didn't stop to look. He just whispered, 'Sono stanco,' and headed straight for his bed.
Word Web
تحدٍّ
Try to say 'Sono stanco' or 'Sono stanca' out loud every time you feel a bit of fatigue today, making sure to use the correct ending for your gender.
In Other Languages
Estoy cansado
Spanish uses 'estar' (temporary state), while Italian only has 'essere' for all states of being.
Je suis fatigué
The root word is different (fatigue vs. stanco).
Ich bin müde
No gender agreement for the adjective 'müde' in this sentence structure.
疲れました (Tsukaremashita)
It is a verb expressing a change of state, not an adjective describing a quality.
أنا تعبان (Ana ta'ban)
Arabic often omits the verb 'to be' in the present tense.
我累了 (Wǒ lèi le)
No verb 'to be' is used, and there is no gender agreement.
피곤해요 (Pigon-haeyo)
The verb ending changes based on politeness level, not gender.
Estou cansado
Pronunciation and spelling of the adjective 'cansado' vs 'stanco'.
Easily Confused
Learners use 'stanco' to describe a job or a climb.
People are 'stanchi'; tasks are 'faticosi'.
In some languages, 'tired' can mean 'bored'.
Use 'stanco' for lack of energy, 'annoiato' for lack of interest.
الأسئلة الشائعة (10)
Generally no. It describes a feeling. However, in C1/C2 levels, you might hear 'un colore stanco' (a faded color), but it's very poetic.
'Stanco' is tired; 'sfinito' is completely exhausted/finished.
No, 'Sono stanco' already implies 'I' because of the verb 'sono'.
You say 'Sono stanco di te'. Be careful, it's quite strong!
Yes, but if you specifically mean you are sleepy, you say 'Ho sonno'.
Yes, it means 'I'm fed up with this'.
The plural for a group of females is 'stanche'.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Use the verb 'Mi sto stancando'.
Yes, 'Sono fuso' (I'm melted) or 'Sono scoppiato' (I'm popped/burst).