Bedeutung
To be able to endure something unpleasant.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Historically, Italian doctors placed great emphasis on 'la digestione'. A 'strong stomach' was seen as a sign of overall constitutional health, which bled into the idiom. Neorealist films often required the audience to 'avere lo stomaco' to face the harsh, unvarnished reality of post-war Italy. In some traditional contexts, 'avere lo stomaco' can refer to the coldness needed to carry out a vendetta or a difficult family duty. Italians use this phrase on social media to comment on 'cringe' content or shocking news stories.
The 'Di' Rule
Always remember the 'di' before the verb. 'Ho lo stomaco *di* farlo' sounds native; 'Ho lo stomaco farlo' is a clear error.
Don't be too rude
Telling someone 'Hai un bel lo stomaco!' can be an insult, meaning they are cold or shameless. Use it carefully.
Bedeutung
To be able to endure something unpleasant.
The 'Di' Rule
Always remember the 'di' before the verb. 'Ho lo stomaco *di* farlo' sounds native; 'Ho lo stomaco farlo' is a clear error.
Don't be too rude
Telling someone 'Hai un bel lo stomaco!' can be an insult, meaning they are cold or shameless. Use it carefully.
The 'Pelo' variant
If you want to sound really Italian when talking about a corrupt businessman, use 'pelo sullo stomaco'. It's a very common idiom in news and movies.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'avere lo stomaco' and the preposition 'di'.
Non so come tu ______ (presente) ______ guardare quel documentario sui ragni!
We use the subjunctive 'abbia' because of 'Non so come', followed by the fixed idiom and 'di'.
Which organ is used in the idiom for 'bravery' (heroic) vs 'endurance' (disgust)?
Per salvare qualcuno da un incendio serve il ______, per pulire una ferita serve lo ______.
'Fegato' is for courage, 'stomaco' is for enduring unpleasantness.
Match the sentence to the context.
1. 'Che stomaco!' | 2. 'Ho mal di stomaco.' | 3. 'Ho il pelo sullo stomaco.'
Each phrase uses 'stomaco' but in different literal or idiomatic ways.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Hai visto l'incidente?' B: 'No, non ______ di guardare.'
The context of an accident implies a need for endurance of a 'gross' or 'sad' sight.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Stomaco vs. Fegato
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenNon so come tu ______ (presente) ______ guardare quel documentario sui ragni!
We use the subjunctive 'abbia' because of 'Non so come', followed by the fixed idiom and 'di'.
Per salvare qualcuno da un incendio serve il ______, per pulire una ferita serve lo ______.
'Fegato' is for courage, 'stomaco' is for enduring unpleasantness.
1. 'Che stomaco!' | 2. 'Ho mal di stomaco.' | 3. 'Ho il pelo sullo stomaco.'
Each phrase uses 'stomaco' but in different literal or idiomatic ways.
A: 'Hai visto l'incidente?' B: 'No, non ______ di guardare.'
The context of an accident implies a need for endurance of a 'gross' or 'sad' sight.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, for physical strength use 'essere forte'. This is strictly for emotional or sensory endurance.
It is always 'lo stomaco' because 's' + consonant requires 'lo'.
Not inherently, but it can be used to criticize someone's lack of empathy.
No, 'avere la pancia' usually means having a 'pot belly' or being fat.
Stomaco = endurance of bad things. Fegato = courage to do hard things.
Yes, to describe your resilience: 'Ho lo stomaco di gestire situazioni di alta pressione'.
You say 'Non lo posso digerire' or 'Mi sta sullo stomaco'.
It's universal across all age groups in Italy.
Yes, 'avere lo stomaco' can mean you can handle spicy or heavy food without getting sick.
You could say 'essere schizzinoso' (to be picky/squeamish).
Verwandte Redewendungen
avere fegato
similarTo have courage.
avere il pelo sullo stomaco
builds onTo be unscrupulous/tough.
voltastomaco
relatedSomething that turns your stomach.
stare sullo stomaco
contrastTo be annoying/disliked.
