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A1 noun 10 دقيقة للقراءة

gamba

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح gamba في 30 ثانية

الشرح gamba in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'gamba' is one of the first body parts you learn. You should focus on its literal meaning (the human leg) and its basic grammar. It is a feminine noun ('la gamba'). You will use it in simple sentences like 'Mi fa male la gamba' (My leg hurts) or 'Ho due gambe' (I have two legs). It's also important to learn the plural 'gambe'. At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex idioms, but knowing 'in gamba' as a compliment for someone who is 'good' or 'smart' is a great way to sound more like a native speaker. You should also be able to describe a leg using basic adjectives like 'lunga' (long) or 'corta' (short).

At the A2 level, you start using 'gamba' in more varied contexts, such as describing physical activities or clothing. You should be able to talk about 'mettere i pantaloni alla gamba destra' (putting trousers on the right leg) and understand the use of 'gamba' for furniture, like 'la gamba del tavolo'. You should also begin to use the reflexive structure 'lavarsi le gambe' or 'rompersi la gamba'. This level introduces the distinction between 'gamba' (human) and 'zampa' (animal), which is a common point of confusion. You might also encounter the phrase 'a gambe all'aria' (legs in the air), meaning to fall down or for something to go wrong.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B1 level, you will encounter 'gamba' in many common Italian idioms and proverbs. You should understand and be able to use 'le bugie hanno le gambe corte' (lies have short legs) and 'fare il passo più lungo della gamba' (to bite off more than you can chew). You will also use 'gamba' in sports contexts, discussing an athlete's performance or training ('allenare le gambe'). Your understanding of the word expands to include more specific anatomical terms like 'polpaccio' or 'coscia' as subsets of the 'gamba'. You should also be comfortable using 'gamba' in the context of health, describing symptoms to a doctor with more precision.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of 'gamba' in its metaphorical and idiomatic forms. You can use phrases like 'darsela a gambe' (to bolt) or 'mettersi le gambe in spalla' (to get a move on) with ease. You understand the nuance of 'essere in gamba' and how it differs from just being 'bravo'. You might also see 'gamba' used in technical or professional settings, such as the 'gamba di un progetto' (a leg or phase of a project, though 'tappa' is more common, 'gamba' can appear in specific analogies). You can also discuss the aesthetics of 'gambe' in art or fashion with a wider range of descriptive adjectives.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C1 level, you recognize 'gamba' in literature and high-level journalism. You understand its use in historical contexts (e.g., 'gambe di legno' in history books) and its role in complex wordplay. You can distinguish between the various registers where 'gamba', 'arto', and 'estremità' are used. You are aware of the regional variations in how body parts are discussed and can use 'gamba' in sophisticated arguments about health, sports science, or even philosophy (e.g., the 'legs' of a theory). You also understand the subtle social cues involved in body language related to 'gambe' in Italian culture, such as the etiquette of sitting.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C2 level, you have a near-native intuition for the word 'gamba'. You can use it in all its idiomatic glory, even inventing your own metaphors that sound natural to native ears. You understand the etymology of the word from Late Latin 'gamba' and how it evolved from referring to animal joints to the human leg. You can appreciate the use of 'gamba' in classic Italian literature (from Dante to Calvino) and understand the rhythmic and phonetic value of the word in poetry. You are also fully aware of the most obscure slang terms and can navigate any conversation, no matter how specialized or colloquial, where 'gamba' might appear.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

gamba في 30 ثانية

Gamba is the Italian word for 'leg', primarily used for humans and furniture.
It is a feminine noun: 'la gamba' (singular) and 'le gambe' (plural).
The idiom 'essere in gamba' is a common way to say someone is capable or smart.
Avoid using it for animals; use 'zampa' instead for paws and animal legs.

The Italian word gamba is a fundamental noun that every learner encounters early in their journey. At its most basic level, it refers to the human leg—the entire limb from the hip down to the ankle. However, in Italian, as in English, the term is used both literally and metaphorically across a vast array of contexts ranging from medical discussions to casual slang and furniture descriptions. Understanding 'gamba' requires more than just knowing it translates to 'leg'; it requires an appreciation for how Italians perceive physical movement and capability. In a literal sense, you will hear it at the doctor's office when discussing an injury, at the gym during a workout, or in a clothing store when trying on trousers. But more interestingly, 'gamba' is the root of one of the most common compliments in the Italian language: being 'in gamba'.

Anatomical Precision: While 'gamba' usually refers to the whole leg, in medical or specific contexts, it can refer specifically to the lower leg (the shin and calf area), while the upper part is the 'coscia' (thigh). However, in general conversation, if you trip and fall, you say you hurt your 'gamba'.

Ho camminato così tanto oggi che non sento più le gambe.

Beyond humans, 'gamba' is used for the legs of furniture. If a table is wobbly, it is likely because one 'gamba del tavolo' is shorter than the others. Interestingly, Italians do not use 'gamba' for animal legs in most cases; for animals, the word zampa (paw/leg) is preferred. Using 'gamba' for a dog might sound like you are personifying the animal, which can be cute but is technically incorrect. This distinction is vital for A1 learners to master early on to avoid sounding unnatural.

Idiomatic Vitality: The phrase 'essere in gamba' is ubiquitous. It literally means 'to be on one's legs,' but it translates to being smart, capable, or cool. If someone tells you 'Sei proprio una persona in gamba,' they are giving you a high compliment regarding your character and competence.

Quella sedia ha una gamba rotta, fai attenzione!

Social Context: In sports, particularly football (calcio), 'gamba' is used constantly. Commentators will talk about a player having 'buona gamba' (good form/energy) or a 'fallo di gamba'. It represents the engine of the athlete.

Mettiti le gambe in spalla e inizia a correre!

Il nonno ha ancora delle belle gambe per la sua età.

Using 'gamba' correctly involves mastering its agreement with adjectives and its placement in various grammatical structures. Since it is a feminine noun, any adjective modifying it must also be feminine. For example, 'una gamba lunga' (a long leg) or 'le gambe stanche' (tired legs). In Italian, we often use definite articles (il, la, i, le) rather than possessive adjectives (mio, tuo, suo) when referring to body parts, provided the owner of the body part is clear from the context. Instead of saying 'La mia gamba fa male,' an Italian is more likely to say 'Mi fa male la gamba' (To me, the leg does hurt).

Possession and Body Parts: In Italian, reflexive verbs often interact with 'gamba'. For instance, 'lavarsi le gambe' (to wash one's legs). The 'le' indicates the legs belong to the subject performing the action.

Mi sono rotto la gamba sciando l'inverno scorso.

When describing movement, 'gamba' often appears with prepositions. 'A gambe levate' describes running away very fast, while 'tra le gambe' means between the legs. If you are sitting with your legs crossed, the phrase is 'a gambe incrociate'. These prepositional phrases are fixed and should be memorized as units. Furthermore, 'gamba' is used in the context of clothing. You might talk about the 'gamba del pantalone' (the leg of the trousers) being too tight or too wide (a zampa d'elefante - bell-bottoms).

Quantity and Comparison: You can use 'gamba' to describe someone's physical stature. 'Avere le gambe corte' can be literal or metaphorical (referring to lies, as in 'le bugie hanno le gambe corte').

Marco ha le gambe molto più lunghe delle mie.

Non incrociare le gambe quando sei a tavola, non è educato.

Object Description: When talking about objects, 'gamba' describes structural supports. 'Le gambe del letto' or 'le gambe della scrivania'. It implies a vertical support role.

Devo avvitare meglio la gamba di questa sedia.

Hai visto che gambe muscolose ha quel corridore?

In the rhythmic daily life of Italy, 'gamba' echoes through various settings. Imagine walking through a bustling 'mercato' in Rome. You might hear a vendor joking with a customer, 'Signora, si rimetta in gamba!' (Lady, get back on your feet/get well!), or a mother shouting at her child, 'Attento alle gambe!' as she pushes a heavy cart. The word is deeply embedded in the physical reality of Italian life, which often involves a lot of walking on cobblestones. Consequently, complaints about 'gambe pesanti' (heavy legs) are common conversation starters among friends after a long day of sightseeing or working.

At the Gym (In Palestra): Personal trainers will shout 'Spingi con le gambe!' (Push with your legs!) during squats. Fitness culture in Italy is huge, and 'leg day' is simply 'giorno delle gambe'.

Oggi in palestra abbiamo allenato solo le gambe.

In the professional world, 'gamba' appears in the idiom 'fare il passo più lungo della gamba'. This is heard in offices and boardrooms when someone warns against overextending resources or making promises that cannot be kept. It’s a very common piece of advice in Italian business culture, emphasizing prudence. You’ll also hear 'gamba' in the context of 'gambe di legno' (wooden legs) when discussing old furniture or, humorously, someone who is a terrible dancer or soccer player. The word carries a weight of functionality; it is what carries you through life.

The Doctor's Office (Dal Medico): If you have circulation issues or a sports injury, the doctor will ask 'Sente dolore alla gamba?' or check for 'gonfiore alle gambe' (swelling in the legs).

Il dottore mi ha detto di tenere la gamba a riposo per una settimana.

Appena ha visto la polizia, se l'è data a gambe!

In the Kitchen/Restaurant: While 'zampa' is for animals, 'gamba' is used for the 'legs' of a prosciutto (the whole cured limb). You might hear a butcher talk about a 'gamba di crudo'.

Abbiamo comprato una gamba intera di prosciutto per la festa.

Non mentire, sai bene che le bugie hanno le gambe corte.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with 'gamba' is confusing it with other body parts or using it when 'zampa' is required. In English, we use 'leg' for humans, animals, and furniture. In Italian, humans have 'gambe', but animals (dogs, cats, horses) have 'zampe'. If you say a horse has a broken 'gamba', an Italian will understand you, but it sounds like you’re treating the horse like a human. Another common mistake is the confusion between 'gamba' and 'piede' (foot). English speakers sometimes use 'leg' to refer to the whole lower extremity including the foot, but in Italian, the distinction is strictly maintained at the ankle.

Gender and Pluralization: Learners often mistakenly make 'gamba' masculine (*il gambo). 'Gambo' actually exists but it means 'stem' (of a flower or a glass). Always remember: LA gamba, LE gambe.

Non dire 'il mio gamba', si dice sempre 'la mia gamba'.

Another pitfall is the use of possessives. As mentioned before, Italians prefer the definite article with body parts. Saying 'Ho rotto la mia gamba' is grammatically possible but sounds very foreign. The natural way is 'Mi sono rotto la gamba'. This reflexive structure 'mi sono' + 'la [body part]' is a hurdle for many A1-A2 students. Furthermore, watch out for the idiom 'in gamba'. Students often try to pluralize it when talking about multiple people (*sono in gambe), but the phrase is fixed: 'Loro sono persone molto in gamba'. The word 'gamba' stays singular in this specific idiomatic expression.

False Friends and Scope: Don't use 'gamba' for a 'leg' of a competition. Use 'tappa' (stage) or 'manche' (round). Also, 'gamba' is not used for a 'leg of a journey'.

Il cane ha una zampa ferita, non una gamba!

Ho un dolore alla coscia, non a tutta la gamba.

Plural Irregularity? No.: Some body parts have irregular plurals (like 'il braccio' becoming 'le braccia'). 'Gamba' is regular: 'la gamba' -> 'le gambe'. Don't overcomplicate it!

Le mie gambe tremano per la paura.

Quella sedia antica ha le gambe intagliate a forma di leone.

To enrich your Italian vocabulary, it’s important to know words related to 'gamba' that offer more precision or different registers. While 'gamba' is the general term, 'arto' (limb) is the more formal, medical, or scientific term. You might see 'arto inferiore' (lower limb) in a medical report. If you want to talk about specific parts of the leg, you have 'coscia' (thigh), 'ginocchio' (knee), 'stinco' (shin), and 'polpaccio' (calf). Knowing these allows you to be much more descriptive. For example, 'Ho un crampo al polpaccio' is much more helpful than just saying your 'gamba' hurts.

Gamba vs. Zampa: As discussed, 'zampa' is for animals. However, 'zampa' is also used for the 'legs' of a chair if they are curved or shaped like animal paws. 'Gamba' is for straight, simple furniture legs.

Il tavolo ha quattro gambe, ma il gatto ha quattro zampe.

In literary or poetic contexts, you might encounter 'stinchi' to refer to the legs in a more rugged or skeletal way. In the culinary world, 'stinco di maiale' (pork shank) is a popular dish. Another related term is 'peduncolo' or 'gambo' for plants. While humans have 'gambe', flowers have a 'gambo' (stem). If you’re talking about the 'leg' of a wine glass, that is also a 'gambo'. These distinctions prevent confusion in specialized settings. Finally, 'sostegno' (support) can be a metaphorical alternative when 'gamba' is used to mean the thing that holds something up.

Anatomical Breakdown: 'Coscia' is the upper part. 'Gamba' technically starts at the knee for doctors, but for everyone else, it’s the whole thing.

L'atleta ha subito un infortunio all'arto inferiore sinistro.

Questi stivali hanno un gambale molto alto.

Register Differences: 'Gamba' is neutral. 'Zampone' is a specific food. 'Arto' is formal/medical.

Il gambo del bicchiere di cristallo è molto sottile.

Oggi quel ciclista ha davvero delle ottime gambe.

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

The word 'gamba' actually replaced the classical Latin word 'crus' (which gave us 'crural'). Originally, 'gamba' was a veterinary term used for horses!

دليل النطق

UK /ˈɡamba/

US /ˈɡɑːmbə/

The stress is on the first syllable: GAM-ba.

يتقافى مع

stramba ramba bamba sclamba pamba amba scamba ghiramba

أخطاء شائعة

Pronouncing the 'g' as a 'j' (soft g).
Making the final 'a' sound like an 'e' or 'o'.
Putting the stress on the last syllable.
Nasalizing the 'am' too much.
Pronouncing it like the English 'gambit'.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text as it is a short, frequent word.

الكتابة 1/5

Regular spelling and pluralization make it simple to write.

التحدث 2/5

Requires correct 'g' sound and understanding of the 'in gamba' idiom.

الاستماع 1/5

Clearly pronounced and rarely confused with other words in speech.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

corpo piede mano braccio testa

تعلّم لاحقاً

coscia ginocchio polpaccio stinco caviglia

متقدم

arto femore tibia perone muscolatura

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Feminine Nouns in -a

La gamba (singular) -> Le gambe (plural).

Definite Articles with Body Parts

Mi lavo le gambe (NOT: Mi lavo le mie gambe).

Adjective Agreement

Le gambe sono stanche (feminine plural).

Prepositional Contractions

Sulla gamba (su + la), nelle gambe (in + le).

Reflexive Pronouns with Body Parts

Si è rotto la gamba (He broke his leg).

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

La mia gamba è lunga.

My leg is long.

Feminine singular agreement (la, -a).

Mi fa male la gamba sinistra.

My left leg hurts.

Use of definite article 'la' instead of 'mia'.

Hai due gambe.

You have two legs.

Plural form 'gambe'.

La gamba del tavolo è rotta.

The leg of the table is broken.

Usage for furniture.

Lui è un ragazzo molto in gamba.

He is a very smart/capable boy.

Common idiom 'in gamba'.

Metti la gamba qui.

Put your leg here.

Imperative 'metti'.

Le tue gambe sono stanche?

Are your legs tired?

Plural agreement 'le', 'stanche'.

La gonna copre le gambe.

The skirt covers the legs.

Present tense verb 'copre'.

Ieri ho camminato molto e ora ho le gambe pesanti.

Yesterday I walked a lot and now my legs feel heavy.

Adjective 'pesanti' modifying 'le gambe'.

Il cane ha quattro zampe, non gambe.

The dog has four paws/legs, not 'gambe'.

Distinction between 'zampa' and 'gamba'.

Si è fatta male alla gamba cadendo dalla bici.

She hurt her leg falling from the bike.

Reflexive 'si è fatta male'.

Devo accorciare la gamba dei pantaloni.

I need to shorten the leg of the pants.

Clothing context.

Resta in piedi sulle tue gambe.

Stay standing on your own legs.

Prepositional phrase 'sulle tue gambe'.

Le gambe di questa sedia sono di metallo.

The legs of this chair are made of metal.

Material description 'di metallo'.

Non incrociare le gambe mentre mangi.

Don't cross your legs while you eat.

Negative imperative 'non incrociare'.

Ha una gamba più corta dell'altra.

He has one leg shorter than the other.

Comparative 'più corta di'.

Ricorda che le bugie hanno le gambe corte.

Remember that lies have short legs (they don't go far).

Proverbial usage.

Non fare il passo più lungo della gamba con questo investimento.

Don't overextend yourself with this investment.

Idiomatic warning.

Dopo la maratona, le gambe mi tremavano.

After the marathon, my legs were shaking.

Imperfect tense for description.

Il dottore ha controllato la circolazione nelle gambe.

The doctor checked the circulation in the legs.

Preposition 'nelle'.

È una persona davvero in gamba, dovresti assumerla.

She is a very capable person, you should hire her.

Idiom as a predicate adjective.

Siamo scappati a gambe levate appena abbiamo sentito il rumore.

We ran away as fast as we could as soon as we heard the noise.

Fixed expression 'a gambe levate'.

Si è rotto la gamba e dovrà portare il gesso per un mese.

He broke his leg and will have to wear a cast for a month.

Future tense 'dovrà'.

Questi pantaloni a zampa sono tornati di moda.

These bell-bottom pants are back in fashion.

Note: 'zampa' is used here for the style name.

Il calciatore ha subito un brutto colpo alla gamba destra.

The soccer player suffered a bad blow to his right leg.

Formal verb 'subire'.

Dobbiamo rimetterci in gamba se vogliamo finire il lavoro.

We need to get back on our feet if we want to finish the work.

Reflexive idiom 'rimettersi in gamba'.

Ha camminato con l'acqua fino alle gambe.

He walked with water up to his legs.

Prepositional phrase 'fino a'.

Le gambe del progetto sono solide grazie ai finanziamenti.

The foundations (legs) of the project are solid thanks to the funding.

Metaphorical usage.

Si è darsela a gambe prima che potessi dire una parola.

He bolted before I could say a word.

Compound idiom structure.

Aveva le gambe incrociate e leggeva un libro.

He had his legs crossed and was reading a book.

Descriptive state.

Il massaggio serve a defaticare le gambe dopo lo sport.

The massage serves to relax the legs after sports.

Technical verb 'defaticare'.

Le gambe del mobile sono finemente intarsiate.

The legs of the furniture are finely inlaid.

Passive construction.

Il suo discorso non aveva gambe per reggersi in piedi.

His argument didn't have a leg to stand on.

Abstract metaphorical use.

Sentiva una strana debolezza alle gambe, un presagio di sventura.

He felt a strange weakness in his legs, an omen of misfortune.

Literary tone.

La scultura enfatizzava la muscolatura delle gambe in modo eroico.

The sculpture emphasized the musculature of the legs in a heroic way.

Art criticism vocabulary.

Nonostante l'età, cammina ancora con gamba svelta.

Despite his age, he still walks with a quick pace (lit. quick leg).

Synecdoche (part for the whole).

L'inchiesta ha tagliato le gambe alla carriera del politico.

The investigation cut the legs out from under the politician's career.

Idiomatic 'tagliare le gambe'.

Le gambe del ponte sono state corrose dal sale marino.

The piers (legs) of the bridge have been corroded by sea salt.

Engineering context.

Si muoveva con la grazia di chi ha gambe abituate alla danza.

She moved with the grace of someone with legs accustomed to dance.

Relative clause 'di chi ha'.

Le gambe gli fecero Giacomo Giacomo per l'emozione.

His legs were shaking like jelly from the emotion.

Rare idiom 'fare Giacomo Giacomo'.

L'opera esplora la fragilità umana attraverso l'immagine di gambe d'argilla.

The work explores human fragility through the image of legs of clay.

Philosophical metaphor.

Un'improvvisa sincope lo lasciò senza gambe in mezzo alla strada.

A sudden fainting spell left him unable to stand in the middle of the street.

Medical/Dramatic narrative.

La dialettica del filosofo poggiava su gambe troppo gracili per convincere.

The philosopher's dialectic rested on legs too frail to convince.

Highly abstract usage.

Il corridore, ormai allo stremo, sentiva le gambe fatte di piombo.

The runner, now at his limit, felt his legs were made of lead.

Metaphor for physical exhaustion.

Egli è il pilastro, la gamba portante di tutta l'organizzazione.

He is the pillar, the main support of the whole organization.

Adjectival use of 'portante'.

Le gambe della verità sono lunghe e arrivano ovunque.

The legs of truth are long and reach everywhere.

Personification of an abstract noun.

Sotto il tavolo, le loro gambe si sfiorarono appena, in un tacito accordo.

Under the table, their legs barely brushed, in a silent agreement.

Subtle narrative description.

Il vento soffiava così forte che sembrava voler falciare le gambe ai passanti.

The wind blew so hard it seemed to want to mow down the legs of passersby.

Personification of nature.

تلازمات شائعة

gamba destra

gamba sinistra

gambe incrociate

gamba del tavolo

gambe stanche

gambe lunghe

gambe pesanti

rompersi una gamba

gamba tesa

gambe all'aria

العبارات الشائعة

essere in gamba

— To be smart, capable, or competent. It is a common compliment.

Tuo figlio è proprio in gamba.

mettersi le gambe in spalla

— To start walking or running fast. To get a move on.

È tardi, mettiamoci le gambe in spalla!

darsela a gambe

— To run away quickly, usually out of fear. To bolt.

Appena ha visto il ragno, se l'è data a gambe.

fare il passo più lungo della gamba

— To overextend oneself. To do something beyond one's means.

Non comprare quella casa costosa, non fare il passo più lungo della gamba.

le bugie hanno le gambe corte

— Lies don't go far. The truth will eventually come out.

Non mentire, sai che le bugie hanno le gambe corte.

a gambe levate

— Running very fast. Headlong.

È scappato a gambe levate.

stare sulle proprie gambe

— To be independent. To stand on one's own feet.

A diciotto anni voleva già stare sulle proprie gambe.

fare Giacomo Giacomo

— To have shaky legs due to fear or weakness.

Dalla paura, le gambe mi facevano Giacomo Giacomo.

tagliare le gambe a qualcuno

— To discourage someone or stop their progress.

Quella notizia gli ha tagliato le gambe.

pantaloni a zampa

— Bell-bottom trousers (literally 'paw-like').

Mi piacciono i pantaloni a zampa degli anni '70.

يُخلط عادةً مع

gamba vs zampa

Used for animals and animal-like furniture legs, whereas 'gamba' is for humans and standard furniture.

gamba vs gambo

Means 'stem' of a flower or 'stalk' of a glass, often confused due to the masculine ending.

gamba vs piede

Refers to the foot only, whereas 'gamba' is the whole leg.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"In gamba"

— Smart, efficient, or healthy. Used for people who are physically or mentally strong.

Un medico veramente in gamba.

Informal/Neutral

"Darsela a gambe levate"

— To flee in terror or great haste.

I ladri se la sono data a gambe levate.

Informal

"Fare il passo più lungo della gamba"

— To attempt something beyond one's capabilities or financial means.

Voleva aprire tre negozi, ma ha fatto il passo più lungo della gamba.

Neutral

"Avere le gambe che fanno Giacomo Giacomo"

— To be trembling with fear or exhaustion.

Prima dell'esame le gambe mi facevano Giacomo Giacomo.

Colloquial

"Le bugie hanno le gambe corte"

— Lies are easily found out because they cannot 'walk' very far.

Ti hanno scoperto subito: le bugie hanno le gambe corte.

Proverbial

"Mettere le gambe in spalla"

— To hurry up or start a long journey with determination.

Se vogliamo arrivare in cima, dobbiamo metterci le gambe in spalla.

Informal

"Tagliare le gambe"

— To take away someone's means of support or enthusiasm.

L'aumento delle tasse ha tagliato le gambe alle piccole imprese.

Metaphorical

"Sentirsi mancare le gambe"

— To feel faint or extremely shocked.

Quando ho ricevuto la notizia, mi sono sentito mancare le gambe.

Neutral

"Gambe all'aria"

— To fall down or for a plan to fail completely.

Tutto il progetto è andato a gambe all'aria.

Informal

"Prendere sotto gamba"

— To underestimate something or treat it too lightly.

Non prendere questo esame sotto gamba.

Informal

سهل الخلط

gamba vs Zampa

Both mean 'leg' in English.

Zampa is for animals (cats, dogs, lions) and sometimes the 'feet' of furniture if they look like paws. Gamba is for humans and plain furniture legs.

Il gatto ha quattro zampe.

gamba vs Gambo

Similar spelling and sound.

Gambo is the stem of a plant or the stem of a wine glass. Gamba is a body part.

Il gambo del fiore è verde.

gamba vs Coscia

Both refer to the lower limb.

Coscia is specifically the thigh (above the knee). Gamba is either the whole leg or specifically the part below the knee.

Ho un muscolo teso nella coscia.

gamba vs Stinco

Part of the leg.

Stinco is specifically the shin bone or the cut of meat. Gamba is the general area.

Ho sbattuto lo stinco.

gamba vs Arto

Synonyms.

Arto is a formal/medical term for limb (could be arm or leg). Gamba is common and only refers to the leg.

Ha perso l'uso dell'arto.

أنماط الجُمل

La [body part] è [adjective].

La gamba è lunga.

Mi fa male la [body part].

Mi fa male la gamba.

Ho le [body part] [adjective].

Ho le gambe stanche.

[Subject] è una persona in gamba.

Maria è una persona in gamba.

Darsela a gambe [adverb].

Se l'è data a gambe velocemente.

Fare il passo più lungo della [body part].

Ho fatto il passo più lungo della gamba.

Le [body part] gli facevano [idiom].

Le gambe gli facevano Giacomo Giacomo.

[Abstract concept] ha le gambe [adjective].

La verità ha le gambe lunghe.

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

gambale

gambetto

gambata

gambuccio

الأفعال

sgambettare

sgambare

الصفات

gambuto

sgambato

مرتبط

piede

coscia

ginocchio

polpaccio

stinco

سجّل مجاناً لرؤية جميع الأمثلة

كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Very High

أخطاء شائعة

Il gamba → La gamba
'Gamba' is a feminine noun. Masculine forms like 'il gamba' or 'un gamba' are incorrect.
Ho rotto la mia gamba → Mi sono rotto la gamba
Italians use reflexive structures and definite articles for body parts rather than possessive adjectives.
Il mio cane ha una gamba rotta → Il mio cane ha una zampa rotta
Animals have 'zampe', not 'gambe'. Use 'gamba' only for humans or furniture.
Loro sono molto in gambe → Loro sono molto in gamba
The idiom 'in gamba' is fixed. Even when referring to multiple people, 'gamba' stays singular.
Gamba del fiore → Gambo del fiore
The stem of a plant is a 'gambo' (masculine), not a 'gamba' (feminine).

نصائح

Article Usage

Don't say 'mia gamba' if it's obvious it's yours. Use 'la gamba'. This is a key difference between English and Italian.

Gamba vs Zampa

Remember: Humans have 'gambe', chairs have 'gambe', but dogs have 'zampe'. Using the wrong one is a classic 'foreigner' mistake.

Complimenting

Use 'essere in gamba' to describe a colleague or friend you respect. It sounds very authentic and positive.

Hard G

The 'G' in 'gamba' is always hard, like in 'goat'. Never pronounce it like the 'G' in 'giant'.

No Double Letters

Beginners sometimes try to double the 'm' or 'b'. It's just G-A-M-B-A. Simple and clean.

Sports Talk

In football, 'avere gamba' means being in good physical shape. Listen for this during match commentaries.

Describing Clothes

When describing trousers, use 'gamba larga' for wide-leg and 'gamba stretta' for skinny-leg styles.

At the Doctor

If you have a cramp, say 'Ho un crampo alla gamba'. The preposition 'a' + 'la' becomes 'alla'.

Truthfulness

Teach children 'le bugie hanno le gambe corte' to encourage honesty. It's a very common parental phrase.

Sitting

In formal Italian settings, 'accavallare le gambe' (crossing legs) is common, but 'a gambe aperte' (legs wide) is considered rude.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Imagine a 'Gambler' who has very long legs to run away when he loses. Gamba = Gambler's leg.

ربط بصري

Visualize the 'G' in Gamba as a person sitting down with their leg bent at the knee.

Word Web

piede coscia scarpa camminare correre pantaloni calza ginocchio

تحدٍّ

Try to use 'gamba' and 'in gamba' in three different sentences today while describing your friends or your furniture.

أصل الكلمة

Derived from the Late Latin word 'gamba', which originally referred to the hock or joint of an animal's leg.

المعنى الأصلي: Joint or bend of a limb.

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > Italian.

السياق الثقافي

Be careful when commenting on someone's 'gambe' in a professional setting, as it can be seen as overly personal, though 'in gamba' is always a safe professional compliment.

English speakers use 'leg' for both humans and animals, but Italians make a sharp distinction with 'zampa'.

Viola da gamba (musical instrument) The idiom 'Le bugie hanno le gambe corte' is used in Pinocchio. Italian cycling legends are often described by the strength of their 'gambe'.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Physical Exercise

Allenare le gambe
Fare stretching alle gambe
Gambe muscolose
Piegamenti sulle gambe

Medical/Health

Dolore alla gamba
Gamba ingessata
Crampo alla gamba
Gambe gonfie

Fashion/Clothing

Gamba del pantalone
Pantaloni a zampa
Gamba larga
Calze per le gambe

Furniture

Gamba del tavolo
Gamba della sedia
Gamba rotta
Svitare la gamba

Idiomatic Expressions

Essere in gamba
Darsela a gambe
Gambe all'aria
Passo più lungo della gamba

بدايات محادثة

"Ti fanno mai male le gambe dopo una lunga camminata in centro?"

"Pensi che tuo fratello sia una persona in gamba?"

"Hai mai dovuto darti a gambe per paura di qualcosa?"

"Preferisci allenare le braccia o le gambe in palestra?"

"Ti piacciono i pantaloni a zampa o preferisci quelli stretti?"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Descrivi una volta in cui hai dovuto darti a gambe levate. Cosa è successo?

Chi è la persona più in gamba che conosci e perché la ammiri così tanto?

Scrivi di un infortunio alla gamba (reale o immaginario) e di come ha cambiato la tua giornata.

Rifletti sul proverbio 'le bugie hanno le gambe corte'. Sei d'accordo?

Descrivi il tuo allenamento preferito per le gambe o una lunga passeggiata che hai fatto.

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

It is feminine. You say 'la gamba' and 'le gambe'. Using 'il gamba' is a common mistake for beginners.

Technically no. For animals, you should use 'zampa'. Using 'gamba' for an animal sounds like you are personifying it, which might be okay in a cartoon but not in normal speech.

It means someone is capable, smart, or reliable. It's one of the best compliments you can give in Italian. 'Mio padre è un uomo molto in gamba.'

The most natural way is 'Mi fa male la gamba'. Italians prefer the definite article ('la') over the possessive ('mia') for body parts.

Colloquially, it means the whole leg from hip to ankle. Anatomically, it refers to the part between the knee and the ankle.

No, it is perfectly regular. 'Gamba' ends in -a, so the plural is 'gambe' ending in -e.

It is a leg of a table. 'Gamba' is the standard word for the vertical supports of furniture like chairs, tables, and beds.

Coscia is the thigh (the part of the leg above the knee). Gamba is the general term for the whole leg or the part below the knee.

You use the idiom 'darsela a gambe'. For example: 'Se l'è data a gambe' (He ran away).

They are bell-bottom or flared trousers. Even though they are for humans, we use 'zampa' here because the shape resembles an animal's wide paw.

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