Bedeutung
A serious promise.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is linked to the concept of 'omertà' in historical contexts, but in modern society, it simply represents personal integrity. In regions like Sicily or Calabria, 'onore' has historically been a much more rigid and sometimes dangerous social code. Many small Italian businesses still operate on 'gentlemen's agreements' where the word is as good as a contract. Classic 'Poliziottesco' or Mafia movies frequently use this phrase to show the code of ethics among criminals or police.
The Eye Contact Rule
In Italy, when you say 'parola d'onore', you MUST look the person directly in the eyes. Looking away makes the phrase sound fake.
Don't Overuse
If you use it more than once a month, people will start to think your 'honor' isn't worth much.
Bedeutung
A serious promise.
The Eye Contact Rule
In Italy, when you say 'parola d'onore', you MUST look the person directly in the eyes. Looking away makes the phrase sound fake.
Don't Overuse
If you use it more than once a month, people will start to think your 'honor' isn't worth much.
Regional Variations
In the South, this phrase is taken very literally. In the North, it's often used more as a figure of speech in business.
The Handshake
Pairing 'parola d'onore' with a firm handshake (stretta di mano) doubles its perceived sincerity.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the phrase.
Non ti preoccupare, ti restituirò il libro domani. Hai la mia ______ d'onore.
The fixed expression is 'parola d'onore'.
Which situation is most appropriate for using 'parola d'onore'?
In which case would you say 'Parola d'onore'?
'Parola d'onore' is for serious commitments, not trivial tasks or simple requests.
Choose the best response for Marco.
Sara: 'Sei sicuro che non dirai a nessuno quello che ti ho raccontato?' Marco: '_________________'
This is the classic way to guarantee confidentiality.
Match the phrase to the intensity of the promise.
Match: 1. Promesso, 2. Parola d'onore, 3. Lo giuro su Dio
'Promesso' is light, 'Parola d'onore' is serious, and swearing on a deity is the most intense.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Promise Intensity Scale
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenNon ti preoccupare, ti restituirò il libro domani. Hai la mia ______ d'onore.
The fixed expression is 'parola d'onore'.
In which case would you say 'Parola d'onore'?
'Parola d'onore' is for serious commitments, not trivial tasks or simple requests.
Sara: 'Sei sicuro che non dirai a nessuno quello che ti ho raccontato?' Marco: '_________________'
This is the classic way to guarantee confidentiality.
Match: 1. Promesso, 2. Parola d'onore, 3. Lo giuro su Dio
'Promesso' is light, 'Parola d'onore' is serious, and swearing on a deity is the most intense.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenSlightly, but it's still very much alive. It's like 'I give you my word' in English—classic but not extinct.
Yes, if you are making a serious commitment about a project or a deadline. It shows character.
'Giuro' is 'I swear' and can be casual. 'Parola d'onore' is more dignified and formal.
Absolutely. Honor is not gendered in modern Italian speech.
Yes, adding 'la mia' (my) is very common and makes it more personal.
Socially, you lose 'faccia' (face). People will be very reluctant to trust you again.
Younger people might just say 'Giuro' or 'Sulla mia testa', but 'parola d'onore' is understood by everyone.
You can just say 'Hai la mia parola', which is slightly less intense but still very strong.
Yes, often abbreviated or used to emphasize that you aren't joking about a plan.
No, it has no standing in a court of law, unlike a 'giuramento'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
uomo di parola
similarA man who keeps his promises.
mantenere la promessa
similarTo keep a promise.
giuramento
specialized formAn official oath.
venire meno alla parola
contrastTo go back on one's word.
