Bedeutung
To appear pale or unhealthy.
Kultureller Hintergrund
It is culturally acceptable and even expected to comment on a friend's health. Saying 'hai una brutta cera' is a way of showing you care about their well-being. In some southern regions, a 'brutta cera' might be jokingly attributed to 'malocchio' (the evil eye) if there is no obvious reason for the paleness. In Italian offices, if you have a 'brutta cera', your boss might actually tell you to go home. Health is often prioritized over 'powering through' a visible illness. The 'glow' associated with 'bella cera' is highly valued. Italians spend a lot on skincare and 'terme' (spas) to avoid having a 'brutta cera'.
The 'Polite' Version
If you want to be extra gentle, say 'Non hai una gran bella cera' (You don't have a very great wax). It sounds less blunt.
Not for Beauty
Never use this to mean someone is unattractive. It's strictly for health/fatigue.
Bedeutung
To appear pale or unhealthy.
The 'Polite' Version
If you want to be extra gentle, say 'Non hai una gran bella cera' (You don't have a very great wax). It sounds less blunt.
Not for Beauty
Never use this to mean someone is unattractive. It's strictly for health/fatigue.
The Vacation Test
When someone comes back from the beach, always say 'Che bella cera!' It's the standard Italian compliment for travelers.
Empathy First
In Italy, noticing someone's 'brutta cera' is a way of showing you are 'present' in the relationship.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'avere'.
Ieri Maria non ________ una bella cera.
The sentence refers to 'yesterday' (ieri), so the imperfect 'aveva' is the most natural choice.
Which sentence is the most natural way to tell a friend they look sick?
A friend looks very pale. What do you say?
The idiom uses 'avere' + 'una brutta cera'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Ti senti bene?' B: 'No, ho l'influenza.' A: 'Infatti, ________.'
Since B has the flu, A confirms by saying they look unwell.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Match 'Che bella cera!' and 'Che brutta cera!' to the correct context.
'Bella cera' is for looking healthy (vacation), 'Brutta cera' is for looking unwell (sleepless night).
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Cera: Good vs. Bad
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenIeri Maria non ________ una bella cera.
The sentence refers to 'yesterday' (ieri), so the imperfect 'aveva' is the most natural choice.
A friend looks very pale. What do you say?
The idiom uses 'avere' + 'una brutta cera'.
A: 'Ti senti bene?' B: 'No, ho l'influenza.' A: 'Infatti, ________.'
Since B has the flu, A confirms by saying they look unwell.
Match 'Che bella cera!' and 'Che brutta cera!' to the correct context.
'Bella cera' is for looking healthy (vacation), 'Brutta cera' is for looking unwell (sleepless night).
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes! 'Oggi ho proprio una brutta cera' is a common way to excuse yourself if you look tired.
Yes, 'la cera' is always feminine, so the adjective must be 'brutta' (not brutto).
Generally, yes. Keep it for people you know at least slightly (colleagues, neighbors, friends).
'Pallido' just means pale. 'Brutta cera' implies you look sick, tired, and generally 'off'.
Yes, e.g., 'Se non dormi, domani avrai una brutta cera.'
No, it specifically refers to the face and complexion.
Yes, 'stare a pezzi' (to be in pieces) is a more casual way to say you look/feel terrible.
Yes, 'pessima' (worst/terrible) makes the expression much stronger.
Rarely. It's mostly a spoken idiom or used in descriptive literature.
Yes, it's a timeless idiom used by all generations.
Verwandte Redewendungen
avere una bella cera
contrastTo look healthy and radiant.
essere pallido come un morto
similarTo be as pale as a dead person.
essere giù di corda
similarTo be feeling down or low on energy.
non stare bene
similarTo not be well.
avere le occhiaie
builds onTo have dark circles under the eyes.
