Bedeutung
To like someone particularly.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The 'debole' is often used to describe the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren. In Italy, grandmothers are famous for 'having a debole' for their grandsons, often feeding them more than others. Using 'avere un debole' is a common way to flirt without being too aggressive. It suggests that the other person has a 'power' over you because of your 'weakness' for them. In the South, expressions of fondness are often even more physical, but 'avere un debole' remains the standard 'polite' way to admit favoritism in a family. On Italian Instagram, you'll see #un debole used for aesthetic photos of architecture, fashion, or food, showing that the idiom has moved into the digital 'lifestyle' space.
Use it for 'Guilty Pleasures'
It's the best phrase to use when you like something that might be considered 'uncool' or 'bad for you', like trashy TV or junk food.
Don't use 'di'
Even though in English we say 'weakness OF', in Italian it is always 'debole PER'. Using 'di' is a very common beginner mistake.
Bedeutung
To like someone particularly.
Use it for 'Guilty Pleasures'
It's the best phrase to use when you like something that might be considered 'uncool' or 'bad for you', like trashy TV or junk food.
Don't use 'di'
Even though in English we say 'weakness OF', in Italian it is always 'debole PER'. Using 'di' is a very common beginner mistake.
Diminutives
Use 'deboluccio' to sound more native and playful when talking about a minor crush.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing preposition.
Ho un debole ___ le macchine d'epoca.
The expression 'avere un debole' always requires the preposition 'per'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct for a woman speaking?
A woman wants to say she likes her nephew.
'Un debole' is a masculine noun phrase and doesn't change based on the speaker's gender.
Match the sentence to the context.
Context: You are at a bakery and see a cannolo.
This is the correct way to express a 'soft spot' for a specific food.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Perché hai comprato un altro paio di scarpe?' B: 'Lo sai che...'
This correctly uses the idiom to explain an irresistible purchase.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenHo un debole ___ le macchine d'epoca.
The expression 'avere un debole' always requires the preposition 'per'.
A woman wants to say she likes her nephew.
'Un debole' is a masculine noun phrase and doesn't change based on the speaker's gender.
Context: You are at a bakery and see a cannolo.
This is the correct way to express a 'soft spot' for a specific food.
A: 'Perché hai comprato un altro paio di scarpe?' B: 'Lo sai che...'
This correctly uses the idiom to explain an irresistible purchase.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes! You can say 'Ho un debole per le scarpe' or 'Ho un debole per il cioccolato'. It works for anything you find irresistible.
It can be, but it doesn't have to be. You can have a 'debole' for a friend, a nephew, or a teacher. It just means a special fondness.
'Mi piace' is general. 'Ho un debole' implies that you have a specific vulnerability to that person/thing; you find it harder to be objective or say no to them.
Yes, in this idiom, 'debole' is a masculine noun. You always say 'un debole', never 'una debole'.
Yes, if you're talking about a passion for the company's product or field, but avoid using it about people in the office to avoid sounding biased.
Use the imperfect: 'Avevo un debole per lei' (I used to have a soft spot) or the passato prossimo: 'Ho avuto un debole per lei' (I had a soft spot).
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or with your best friend. It's not slang, but it's not 'frozen' formal either.
It's better to say 'Ho un debole per il fumo'. Usually, we use a noun after 'per', not an infinitive verb.
No. It means you have a 'weak point' for that specific thing. It doesn't imply you are a weak person overall.
Technically you could say 'Ho dei deboli', but it's almost never used. Stick to the singular 'un debole'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
andare matto per
similarTo go crazy for something/someone.
avere un pallino per
similarTo have a 'thing' or obsession for something.
essere il cocco di
specialized formTo be the teacher's pet or the favorite.
perdere la testa per
builds onTo lose one's head over someone.
