Bedeutung
Easily forgetting recent events.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is a staple in Italian political talk shows like 'Porta a Porta'. It is used to criticize the 'elettorato' (electorate) for forgetting the failures of politicians from previous terms. In Italy, calling someone out for having a 'short memory' regarding a favor is a way to assert social standing without being overly aggressive. While the phrase is standard, in the South (like Naples or Sicily), it might be accompanied by a gesture—tapping the temple with a finger and shaking the head. Modern Italian authors like Italo Calvino have explored the concept of memory and forgetting, often using this idiom to describe the 'lightness' of modern life.
Use it for teasing
It's a great way to tease a friend who forgot a small detail without being mean.
Watch the gender
Always keep it 'corta', even if you are talking to a man, because it describes the 'memoria' (feminine).
Bedeutung
Easily forgetting recent events.
Use it for teasing
It's a great way to tease a friend who forgot a small detail without being mean.
Watch the gender
Always keep it 'corta', even if you are talking to a man, because it describes the 'memoria' (feminine).
Add 'molto'
Adding 'molto' (very) or 'proprio' (really) makes the idiom sound much more natural and native-like.
Political context
If you read an Italian newspaper, look for this phrase in the 'Opinioni' section; it's almost always there.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'avere' and the phrase.
Ieri mi hai promesso un libro, ma oggi non ricordi nulla. Tu ___ la ___ ___!
The subject is 'tu', so we use 'hai'. The fixed phrase is 'memoria corta'.
Which situation best fits the phrase 'avere la memoria corta'?
Scenario: Marco forgets to pay back 10 euros he borrowed last week.
Forgetting a debt is a classic example of having a 'short memory'.
Match the Italian phrase to its English equivalent.
Match the following:
The phrases are direct opposites or synonyms.
Choose the best response for the dialogue.
A: 'Ti ricordi di quel ristorante?' B: 'No, scusa, ___.'
The verb 'avere' is required with the feminine noun 'memoria'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Short vs. Long Memory
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenIeri mi hai promesso un libro, ma oggi non ricordi nulla. Tu ___ la ___ ___!
The subject is 'tu', so we use 'hai'. The fixed phrase is 'memoria corta'.
Scenario: Marco forgets to pay back 10 euros he borrowed last week.
Forgetting a debt is a classic example of having a 'short memory'.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
The phrases are direct opposites or synonyms.
A: 'Ti ricordi di quel ristorante?' B: 'No, scusa, ___.'
The verb 'avere' is required with the feminine noun 'memoria'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, 'memoria breve' is not an idiom. Use 'memoria corta' for the expression and 'memoria a breve termine' for the scientific term.
It depends on the tone. It can be a light tease or a sharp political criticism.
Always use 'la'. 'Avere la memoria corta' is the fixed form.
Yes! 'Ho la memoria corta' is a very common way to apologize for forgetting something.
The opposite is 'avere una memoria da elefante'.
Yes, but be careful. It implies someone is unreliable.
Yes, it is a standard Italian expression used from Milan to Sicily.
No, 'piccola' (small) is never used for memory in this context.
You would say: 'Scusa, ho la memoria corta, me ne sono dimenticato.'
No, 'dimenticare' is the verb for the action. This phrase describes the person's trait.
Verwandte Redewendungen
memoria da elefante
contrastTo have a great memory
memoria di un pesce rosso
similarMemory of a goldfish
scordarsi
builds onTo forget
mandare a memoria
specialized formTo memorize
