Significado
To be highly intelligent.
Contexto cultural
In Italian schools, being 'una cima' often comes with the social label of 'secchione' (nerd). While 'cima' is a compliment on intelligence, 'secchione' is a more loaded term about how much one studies. Italians often use 'non sono una cima' as a way to show modesty when starting to learn a new skill, even if they are actually quite good. While 'cima' is understood everywhere, in the North (like Milan), you might also hear 'essere un drago' (to be a dragon) to mean someone is very skilled and smart. Italian comedy (like the Fantozzi films) often uses the phrase 'non essere una cima' to describe the 'everyman' character who struggles with modern life.
The Sarcastic Negative
If you want to sound very Italian, use 'non è proprio una cima' with a slight shrug. It's the perfect way to be critical without being rude.
Gender Trap
Never say 'un cimo'. It's the #1 mistake for learners. Always 'una cima'.
Significado
To be highly intelligent.
The Sarcastic Negative
If you want to sound very Italian, use 'non è proprio una cima' with a slight shrug. It's the perfect way to be critical without being rude.
Gender Trap
Never say 'un cimo'. It's the #1 mistake for learners. Always 'una cima'.
Context Matters
In a bar, 'una cima' is great. In a PhD defense, use 'una mente brillante'.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct form to complete the sentence.
Mio fratello studia tutto il giorno, è proprio ___.
Even though 'fratello' is masculine, 'cima' is a feminine noun and does not change.
Fill in the missing verb and article.
Gianni non _____ _____ cima in matematica, ma è bravo in storia.
The phrase requires the verb 'essere' and the indefinite feminine article 'una'.
Match the sentence to the most likely situation.
1. 'Non è una cima.' | 2. 'È una vera cima!'
The negative is used for mistakes/slowness; the positive for brilliance.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: Hai visto come ha risposto bene alla domanda del prof? B: Sì, d'altronde lo sanno tutti che lei ___.
'È una cima' is the most idiomatic fit for academic brilliance in this context.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosMio fratello studia tutto il giorno, è proprio ___.
Even though 'fratello' is masculine, 'cima' is a feminine noun and does not change.
Gianni non _____ _____ cima in matematica, ma è bravo in storia.
The phrase requires the verb 'essere' and the indefinite feminine article 'una'.
1. 'Non è una cima.' | 2. 'È una vera cima!'
The negative is used for mistakes/slowness; the positive for brilliance.
A: Hai visto come ha risposto bene alla domanda del prof? B: Sì, d'altronde lo sanno tutti che lei ___.
'È una cima' is the most idiomatic fit for academic brilliance in this context.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes! 'Lei è una cima' is perfectly correct.
It's a mild criticism, often used humorously. It's less offensive than calling someone 'stupid'.
Usually, we use the indefinite article 'una'. 'Lui è la cima' sounds like he is the single best person in a specific group, which is less common.
No. 'Al top' means being in a great condition or at the peak of success. 'Una cima' is about intelligence.
Yes, it is a standard Italian idiom recognized from North to South.
Yes, it can be used for specific talents, though it usually implies a 'smart' approach to that talent.
Directly, 'una frana' (a landslide/failure) is often used for someone who is bad at everything.
Yes, if you are describing a colleague's strengths. It sounds professional yet natural.
Because the 'cima' is the very highest point. A mountain is big, but the peak is the elite part.
Absolutely! It's a very common way to encourage a smart child.
Frases relacionadas
essere un asso
similarTo be an expert/ace at something.
avere sale in zucca
similarTo have common sense.
essere un mostro
specialized formTo be incredibly good at something.
non essere un'aquila
synonymTo not be very smart.
