§ What 'brivido' means
- Italian Word
- brivido
- Part of Speech
- noun (masculine)
- CEFR Level
- B1
- Definition
- A sudden shiver of excitement or fear.
The Italian word 'brivido' directly translates to 'shiver' or 'thrill' in English. It's a versatile word that describes a quick, involuntary sensation, often accompanied by goosebumps, that can be triggered by various emotions or physical stimuli. Think of it as a sudden, intense feeling that makes you feel a little tingle or a chill down your spine.
It's important to understand that 'brivido' isn't just about being cold. While you can certainly get a 'brivido' from a cold draft, its most common uses in Italian revolve around emotional responses. It captures that momentary jolt you feel when something exciting, scary, or even deeply moving happens.
§ When to use 'brivido'
Italians use 'brivido' in many situations, mainly when they want to express a strong, fleeting sensation. Here are the most common scenarios:
- Excitement or Thrill: This is one of the primary uses. If something is incredibly exciting, like a roller coaster ride, a great performance, or even good news, you can feel a 'brivido'. It's that rush of adrenaline.
- Fear or Apprehension: 'Brivido' also perfectly describes the shiver you get when you're scared, startled, or when something creepy happens. It's the feeling of your hair standing on end.
- Emotion or Sensation: Sometimes, 'brivido' can simply refer to a general intense sensation, not necessarily fear or excitement, but more like a profound emotional response to art, music, or a powerful moment.
- Cold: While less common for the emotional nuances, 'brivido' can also refer to a physical shiver due to cold. However, 'freddo' (cold) or 'tremare' (to shiver/tremble) are more direct for just the physical cold sensation.
§ Examples of 'brivido' in action
Ho avuto un brivido quando ho sentito la sua voce.
- Translation hint
- I got a shiver/thrill when I heard her voice.
In this example, the 'brivido' could be from excitement, nervousness, or even a pleasant surprise.
Il film dell'orrore mi ha fatto venire i brividi.
- Translation hint
- The horror movie gave me shivers/goosebumps.
Here, 'brividi' (plural of brivido) clearly indicates shivers of fear or fright.
Provare un brivido d'emozione durante il concerto.
- Translation hint
- To feel a shiver of emotion during the concert.
This usage highlights the emotional aspect, where the 'brivido' is a direct result of strong feelings.
Un brivido mi è corso lungo la schiena.
- Translation hint
- A shiver ran down my spine.
This is a very common idiomatic expression in both Italian and English to describe an intense feeling, often one of fear or excitement.
أمثلة حسب المستوى
Ho sentito un brivido freddo lungo la schiena quando ho aperto la porta e ho visto l'ombra.
I felt a cold shiver down my spine when I opened the door and saw the shadow.
Uses 'sentire un brivido' (to feel a shiver).
Il brivido dell'avventura mi spinge sempre a esplorare nuovi posti.
The thrill of adventure always pushes me to explore new places.
Here 'brivido' refers to an exciting thrill.
Un brivido di terrore mi ha attraversato il corpo al pensiero di cadere.
A shiver of terror ran through my body at the thought of falling.
Uses 'un brivido di' to specify the type of shiver.
Percepire il brivido di un concerto dal vivo è un'esperienza unica.
To perceive the thrill of a live concert is a unique experience.
Here 'brivido' evokes the excitement of the event.
Nonostante la paura, il brivido della sfida lo spingeva a continuare.
Despite the fear, the thrill of the challenge pushed him to continue.
Contrasts fear with the exhilarating 'brivido'.
Ogni volta che guarda un film horror, un brivido gli sale fino al collo.
Every time he watches a horror movie, a shiver goes up his neck.
'Salire fino al collo' is an idiomatic way to describe the sensation spreading.
Il primo appuntamento è sempre accompagnato da un piacevole brivido di attesa.
The first date is always accompanied by a pleasant shiver of anticipation.
'Brivido di attesa' conveys excitement and nervousness.
Un improvviso brivido di freddo gli fece rabbrividire, nonostante il sole.
A sudden cold shiver made him tremble, despite the sun.
Here 'brivido di freddo' explicitly states it's a cold shiver, and 'rabbrividire' (to shiver/tremble) is used as a verb.
كيفية الاستخدام
Brivido is a versatile word that can describe both physical sensations (like a shiver from cold or fear) and emotional reactions (like a thrill of excitement). It's often used with verbs like sentire (to feel) or dare (to give). You can also use the plural, brividi, which is common in phrases like 'avere i brividi' (to have the shivers/chills).
English speakers might be tempted to translate 'shiver' directly in all contexts. However, brivido specifically implies a sudden, often intense, sensation of excitement or fear. It's not typically used for a prolonged, milder shiver from just being cold. For a general shiver from cold, you might say 'tremare dal freddo' (to shiver from the cold). Also, don't confuse it with 'frivolo' (frivolous), which sounds similar but has a completely different meaning.
اختبر نفسك 12 أسئلة
Ho un ___ quando fa freddo. (I have a ___ when it's cold.)
The sentence talks about feeling cold, which can cause a shiver (brivido).
Il film mi ha dato un piccolo ___. (The movie gave me a little ___.)
Movies can give you a 'brivido' (shiver) of excitement or fear.
Sento un ___ di gioia. (I feel a ___ of joy.)
A 'brivido' can also be a shiver of excitement or joy.
C'è un ___ nell'aria. (There is a ___ in the air.)
A 'brivido' can describe a chill in the air, hinting at cold.
Lei ha avuto un ___ per la sorpresa. (She had a ___ for the surprise.)
A surprise can cause a 'brivido' of excitement.
La storia mi ha fatto venire i ___. (The story gave me the ___.)
Stories can give you 'brividi' (shivers, plural of brivido), often of fear or suspense.
Think about the emotion the performance evoked.
Consider the physical sensation described.
What kind of feeling do horror movies often create?
Read this aloud:
Descrivi un momento in cui hai provato un brivido di eccitazione.
Focus: brivido
قلت:
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Read this aloud:
Parla di un'esperienza che ti ha dato un brivido di paura.
Focus: paura
قلت:
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Read this aloud:
Come descriveresti la sensazione di un brivido a qualcuno che non l'ha mai provato?
Focus: sensazione
قلت:
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/ 12 correct
Perfect score!
محتوى ذو صلة
مزيد من كلمات emotions
accorgersi
B1To notice or realize something.
acredine
C1Bitterness or sharpness of temper or manner.
aggressivo
B2Aggressive, hostile, or forceful.
agognato
C1Longed for or ardently desired.
allegro
A2cheerful or happy
amare
A1To love
ambivalente
C1having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something
ambivalenza
C1the state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas.
ambizione
B1A strong desire to do or achieve something.
ammettere
B1To confess to be true or the case.
