Bedeutung
Commenting on something ridiculous.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Italians often use 'È assurdo' while performing the 'che vuoi' gesture (fingertips bunched together). This combination perfectly expresses the feeling of 'What is this madness?' The phrase is the unofficial motto of people dealing with Italian public offices. It's used to bond with others in line who are also frustrated by the complexity. On Italian TikTok or Instagram, 'Assurdo' is a very common one-word comment on viral videos, similar to 'No way' or 'Crazy' in English. In the South, the phrase might be delivered with even more vocal emphasis and longer vowels to show deep indignation.
The 'Assurdo' Shrug
When saying this, slightly raise your shoulders and turn your palms up. It makes you sound 100% more Italian.
Gender Agreement
If you say 'The idea is absurd', remember to say 'L'idea è assurda' (feminine).
Bedeutung
Commenting on something ridiculous.
The 'Assurdo' Shrug
When saying this, slightly raise your shoulders and turn your palms up. It makes you sound 100% more Italian.
Gender Agreement
If you say 'The idea is absurd', remember to say 'L'idea è assurda' (feminine).
Subjunctive Alert
If you add 'che' after it, get ready to use the subjunctive! 'È assurdo che piova' (It's absurd that it's raining).
Teste dich selbst
Choose the best reaction to this sentence: 'Il biglietto per il museo costa 50 euro!'
Il biglietto costa 50 euro!
50 euros for a museum is a very high price, so 'È assurdo!' (That's ridiculous!) is the natural reaction.
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the adjective.
Questa storia ____ _________.
'Storia' is a feminine singular noun, so the adjective must be 'assurda'.
What would the second speaker say?
A: 'Ho aspettato tre ore per il bus.' B: '_________________'
Waiting three hours for a bus is a frustrating and illogical situation.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You see a dog driving a car.
A dog driving a car is a perfect example of something 'assurdo'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to say 'È assurdo!'
Prices
- • High bills
- • Expensive coffee
- • Rent prices
Logic
- • Strange rules
- • Bad directions
- • Confusing laws
Surprise
- • Viral videos
- • Shocking news
- • Wild stories
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenIl biglietto costa 50 euro!
50 euros for a museum is a very high price, so 'È assurdo!' (That's ridiculous!) is the natural reaction.
Questa storia ____ _________.
'Storia' is a feminine singular noun, so the adjective must be 'assurda'.
A: 'Ho aspettato tre ore per il bus.' B: '_________________'
Waiting three hours for a bus is a frustrating and illogical situation.
You see a dog driving a car.
A dog driving a car is a perfect example of something 'assurdo'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenYes! Just like in English you can say 'Absurd!', in Italian, 'Assurdo!' works as a perfect one-word reaction.
Not usually, but it shows strong emotion. Don't use it to describe a person's serious opinion unless you want to start an argument.
'Pazzesco' is often more positive or high-energy (like 'insane!'), while 'assurdo' is more about things being illogical or wrong.
Yes! If a friend tells you they won a free trip, you can say 'È assurdo!' to mean 'That's unbelievable!'.
Use the imperfect: 'Era assurdo'.
It's used equally across all of Italy. It's a truly national expression.
It's better to say 'Veramente assurdo' or 'Assolutamente assurdo'.
It's a bit too informal. Use 'Mi sembra poco logico' instead.
In a full sentence, yes. As an exclamation, no.
'È logico' or 'Ha senso'.
If you say 'Sei assurdo', it means 'You are ridiculous/crazy'. Use it carefully with friends.
Yes, the 'hand purse' (fingertips together) or shaking your head with eyes wide.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Roba da matti
synonymCrazy stuff
Non ha senso
similarIt makes no sense
È ridicolo
similarIt's ridiculous
È incredibile
similarIt's incredible
È pazzesco
similarIt's crazy/insane
