Bedeutung
Being an important person.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is ubiquitous in Italian newspapers (especially 'La Repubblica' or 'Corriere della Sera') to describe political heavyweights. Historically, it was used to refer to Mafia bosses. While still understood this way in movies, in modern daily life, it has been 'cleaned up' for general use. Italian sports journalists love this phrase for 'top players' during the transfer market (calciomercato). It is often used to describe 'headhunters' or the high-profile executives they recruit.
Gender Neutrality
Always use 'un pezzo' even for women. It's a fixed grammatical unit.
Don't say 'di'
Using 'di' instead of 'da' is the most common mistake for foreigners. Think of it as 'caliber DA 90'.
Bedeutung
Being an important person.
Gender Neutrality
Always use 'un pezzo' even for women. It's a fixed grammatical unit.
Don't say 'di'
Using 'di' instead of 'da' is the most common mistake for foreigners. Think of it as 'caliber DA 90'.
Mafia Context
Be aware of the history, but don't be afraid to use it in business; it's very common now.
Plural form
Use 'dei pezzi da novanta' to sound more natural when talking about a group of VIPs.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct preposition.
Il nuovo avvocato è un pezzo ___ novanta.
The idiom always uses 'da' to indicate the caliber/measure.
Which of these people is most likely a 'pezzo da novanta'?
Chi è un pezzo da novanta?
A 'pezzo da novanta' is someone with great power or influence.
Choose the best response.
A: 'Sai che il Presidente verrà alla nostra festa?' B: '___'
The President is an important person, so 'pezzo da novanta' is the correct reaction.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Pezzo da Novanta vs. Pezzo di Pane
Aufgabensammlung
3 AufgabenIl nuovo avvocato è un pezzo ___ novanta.
The idiom always uses 'da' to indicate the caliber/measure.
Chi è un pezzo da novanta?
A 'pezzo da novanta' is someone with great power or influence.
A: 'Sai che il Presidente verrà alla nostra festa?' B: '___'
The President is an important person, so 'pezzo da novanta' is the correct reaction.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenNo, it is generally a compliment or a neutral description of power. However, it can be used sarcastically.
Yes, absolutely. You would say: 'Lei è un pezzo da novanta'.
No, it refers to the caliber of a cannon, not age.
It is informal to neutral. You'll hear it in conversation and read it in news, but not in legal documents.
'Pezzo da novanta' sounds slightly more impressive and idiomatic.
It is specific to the Italian language, though other languages have similar metaphors.
Rarely. It is almost exclusively used for people now.
It's more of a colloquial idiom than pure slang.
Because the 90mm cannon was the most powerful one in the Italian army.
No, the idiom is fixed at ninety.
Yes, very often in Italian cinema, especially in political or crime dramas.
Just like an adjective phrase: [Person] + [essere] + [un pezzo da novanta].
Verwandte Redewendungen
pezzo grosso
synonymBig shot
pesce grosso
similarBig fish
pezzo di pane
contrastA very kind/good person
numero uno
similarNumber one / The best
eminenza grigia
specialized formGrey eminence
