Bedeutung
To gossip about someone when they are absent.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Italy, direct confrontation ('dirlo in faccia') is often respected more than secret criticism, even if it leads to an argument. Talking behind someone's back is seen as 'vigliacco' (cowardly). The layout of Italian towns encourages public life. Gossip ('pettegolezzo') is a major part of social bonding, but there is a fine line between sharing news and 'parlare alle spalle'. Italian offices can be highly hierarchical. 'Parlare alle spalle' is a common, albeit discouraged, way for subordinates to vent frustration about management. Historically, damaging someone's reputation behind their back was a serious blow to their 'honor'. This cultural weight still lingers in the gravity of the phrase today.
Use Possessives
Instead of saying 'alle spalle di me', say 'alle mie spalle'. It sounds much more native.
Avoid 'Dietro'
Don't say 'parlare dietro'. While English uses 'behind', Italian strictly uses 'alle spalle' for the idiom.
Bedeutung
To gossip about someone when they are absent.
Use Possessives
Instead of saying 'alle spalle di me', say 'alle mie spalle'. It sounds much more native.
Avoid 'Dietro'
Don't say 'parlare dietro'. While English uses 'behind', Italian strictly uses 'alle spalle' for the idiom.
The 'In Faccia' Rule
If you want to sound like a person of integrity in Italy, emphasize that you prefer 'dire le cose in faccia'.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Non è carino parlare ____ ______ di un amico.
The correct idiom is 'alle spalle'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'They are talking behind my back'?
Scegli la frase corretta:
Using the possessive adjective 'mie' with 'alle spalle' is the standard native form.
Complete the dialogue with the appropriate form.
A: 'Perché Marco è arrabbiato?' B: 'Perché ha scoperto che noi ______ ______ ______.'
You can use the indirect object pronoun 'gli' (to him) or the possessive 'sue'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
In quale situazione useresti 'parlare alle spalle'?
Criticizing someone who is not present is the definition of the phrase.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenNon è carino parlare ____ ______ di un amico.
The correct idiom is 'alle spalle'.
Scegli la frase corretta:
Using the possessive adjective 'mie' with 'alle spalle' is the standard native form.
A: 'Perché Marco è arrabbiato?' B: 'Perché ha scoperto che noi ______ ______ ______.'
You can use the indirect object pronoun 'gli' (to him) or the possessive 'sue'.
In quale situazione useresti 'parlare alle spalle'?
Criticizing someone who is not present is the definition of the phrase.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, it almost always implies a negative or malicious intent. If the talk is positive, you would just say 'parlare bene di qualcuno'.
Yes, 'Parlare alle spalle della commissione' (Talking behind the committee's back) is perfectly correct.
'Sparlare' is the verb for the act of speaking ill. 'Parlare alle spalle' is the idiom that emphasizes that the person isn't there.
You say: 'Non parlare alle mie spalle'.
It is acceptable in journalism and literature, but in very formal legal documents, you might see 'diffamazione' or 'denigrazione'.
Absolutely. Posting about someone in a group they aren't in is a modern form of 'parlare alle spalle'.
It's grammatically correct but 'parlargli alle spalle' or 'parlare alle sue spalle' is much more common.
Younger people might use 'shittare' or 'dissare' (from dissing), but 'parlare alle spalle' remains the standard.
Use 'parlare da dietro' or 'parlare alle sue spalle' (literally), but be careful as people will likely assume you mean the idiom.
Yes, it often appears in B1/B2 listening exercises about social conflicts.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Sparlare
synonymTo speak ill of someone.
Dire le cose in faccia
contrastTo say things to someone's face.
Tagliare i panni addosso
similarTo criticize someone severely.
Fare il doppio gioco
builds onTo play a double game / be two-faced.
