Bedeutung
In the dark.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is often associated with the 'noir' genre of Italian films where scenes are shot with high contrast and minimal lighting to reflect the moral ambiguity of the characters. Due to high energy costs in Italy, 'a luci spente' is a common household mantra. Parents often remind children to leave rooms 'a luci spente'. In some Italian cities, 'a luci spente' refers to the time after bars close when the streets become quiet and the 'real' city emerges. In Italian business, 'muoversi a luci spente' is considered a strategic virtue, showing that one is discreet and doesn't reveal their hand too early.
Plural is Key
Always keep it plural ('luci spente') to sound like a native speaker, even if you only turned off one light.
Not for Computers
Don't use this for turning off your phone or laptop. Use 'spento' for that.
Bedeutung
In the dark.
Plural is Key
Always keep it plural ('luci spente') to sound like a native speaker, even if you only turned off one light.
Not for Computers
Don't use this for turning off your phone or laptop. Use 'spento' for that.
Journalistic Flair
Use 'a fari spenti' if you want to sound like an Italian political analyst.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Non vedo niente, siamo ____.
The correct idiom is 'a luci spente' (feminine plural).
Which sentence uses the idiom figuratively?
Choose the best option:
In this sentence, it means 'secretly', which is the figurative use.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: 'Perché la casa è così buia?' B: 'Perché siamo ____ per la sorpresa!'
'A luci spente' is the most natural way to describe waiting for a surprise.
Match the situation to the use of the phrase.
Situation: A politician meeting a rival in a private basement.
This implies they are working secretly.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Light vs Dark Idioms
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenNon vedo niente, siamo ____.
The correct idiom is 'a luci spente' (feminine plural).
Choose the best option:
In this sentence, it means 'secretly', which is the figurative use.
A: 'Perché la casa è così buia?' B: 'Perché siamo ____ per la sorpresa!'
'A luci spente' is the most natural way to describe waiting for a surprise.
Situation: A politician meeting a rival in a private basement.
This implies they are working secretly.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, it is grammatically correct and used, but 'a luci spente' is the more common idiomatic form.
Absolutely. It's very common to describe a romantic dinner or evening 'a luci spente'.
Almost, but 'a luci spente' implies the lights were intentionally turned off, whereas 'al buio' is just the state of darkness.
It is neutral. You can use it with friends or in a newspaper article.
For a car, 'a fari spenti' is much more common and idiomatic.
You can say 'a luce spenta' if you are literally referring to one specific lamp, but the idiom is plural.
Not necessarily. It usually just implies secrecy or privacy, though it can be used for clandestine acts.
Yes, many Italian pop and indie songs use it to create a moody or intimate atmosphere.
You say 'Ho spento le luci'. 'A luci spente' is the state after you do it.
No, for that you would say 'essere all'oscuro di qualcosa'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
al buio
synonymIn the dark.
dietro le quinte
similarBehind the scenes.
sotto banco
similarUnder the table / illegally.
a fari spenti
specialized formWith headlights off.
