Bedeutung
Having no money.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The idiom is deeply tied to the history of Florentine public auctions and the use of timed candles. Young Italians use this phrase frequently to discuss the 'carovita' (high cost of living) in cities like Milan or Rome. The theme of being 'al verde' is a staple of 'Commedia all'italiana,' where characters often hatch crazy schemes to get money. Many contemporary Italian songs (rap and pop) use this phrase to describe the struggle of the youth.
Use it to be relatable
Italians love to complain about money in a lighthearted way. Using this phrase makes you sound very integrated into the culture.
Don't use with your boss
Even if you are close, telling your boss 'sono al verde' might sound like you are asking for a raise in an unprofessional way.
Bedeutung
Having no money.
Use it to be relatable
Italians love to complain about money in a lighthearted way. Using this phrase makes you sound very integrated into the culture.
Don't use with your boss
Even if you are close, telling your boss 'sono al verde' might sound like you are asking for a raise in an unprofessional way.
Combine with 'rimanere'
Use 'rimanere al verde' to explain *why* you have no money (e.g., 'Dopo le tasse, sono rimasto al verde').
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Dopo aver comprato la macchina nuova, Marco ________ al verde.
'Rimanere al verde' is the standard way to describe the result of an action.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I'm broke' in Italian?
Come si dice 'I'm broke' in italiano?
'Sono al verde' is the correct idiomatic expression.
Choose the best response for the dialogue.
A: 'Andiamo a fare shopping?' B: 'No, mi dispiace, ________.'
Green is the only color used in this specific idiom for being broke.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You spent all your money on a concert ticket and now you have 0 euros.
The situation describes being broke, which matches the idiom.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenDopo aver comprato la macchina nuova, Marco ________ al verde.
'Rimanere al verde' is the standard way to describe the result of an action.
Come si dice 'I'm broke' in italiano?
'Sono al verde' is the correct idiomatic expression.
A: 'Andiamo a fare shopping?' B: 'No, mi dispiace, ________.'
Green is the only color used in this specific idiom for being broke.
You spent all your money on a concert ticket and now you have 0 euros.
The situation describes being broke, which matches the idiom.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot necessarily. It usually means you are temporarily out of cash, like 'broke' in English. Bankruptcy is 'bancarotta'.
Yes, informally. 'L'azienda è al verde' means the company has no liquidity.
In Italian, 'essere in rosso' (to be in the red) specifically means your bank account is overdrawn. 'Al verde' is more general for having no money at all.
No, it's just informal. It's a very common, everyday expression.
It's better to say 'sono completamente al verde' or 'sono proprio al verde'.
Yes, Italians might pull out their empty pockets or tap their thumb and index finger together to signify 'zero'.
Yes: 'Se compro questo, sarò al verde'.
Yes, it is a standard idiom understood from North to South.
'Senza soldi' is literal; 'al verde' is idiomatic and sounds more like a native speaker.
No, it describes a temporary state, not a personality trait.
Verwandte Redewendungen
essere in bolletta
synonymTo be broke (referring to the list of the poor).
senza un soldo
similarWithout a penny.
essere in mutande
specialized formTo be down to one's underwear.
fare il passo più lungo della gamba
builds onTo overextend oneself financially.
