Significado
Making a very bad impression.
Contexto cultural
The concept of 'Bella Figura' is a cornerstone of Italian life. It dictates everything from how you dress for the grocery store to how you speak to elders. A 'figuraccia' is the failure of this system. In the South, social reputation is often tied to family honor. A 'figuraccia' by one member can reflect poorly on the entire family unit. In Italian business, building personal rapport is key. Making a 'figuraccia' early on (like being late or unprepared) can be harder to overcome than in more task-oriented cultures. With the rise of social media, the 'figuraccia' has moved online. Italians are very conscious of their 'social figure,' often curating their profiles to avoid any hint of a blunder.
Use it to be likable
Admitting to a 'figuraccia' is a great way to break the ice and show you don't take yourself too seriously.
Watch the suffix
Don't use 'figura di merda' in front of people you don't know well; it's much stronger than 'figuraccia'.
Significado
Making a very bad impression.
Use it to be likable
Admitting to a 'figuraccia' is a great way to break the ice and show you don't take yourself too seriously.
Watch the suffix
Don't use 'figura di merda' in front of people you don't know well; it's much stronger than 'figuraccia'.
The 'Che' trick
If you see someone else mess up, a sympathetic 'Che figuraccia!' can show you understand their pain.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'fare'.
Ieri sera alla cena, io ________ una figuraccia tremenda.
The sentence refers to 'ieri sera' (yesterday evening), so the 'passato prossimo' (ho fatto) is required.
Match the situation to the most appropriate exclamation.
You accidentally send a complaining text about your boss to your boss.
'Che figuraccia!' is the standard exclamation for a social blunder.
Which of these is the most formal way to say you made a bad impression?
Scegli l'opzione più formale:
'Brutta figura' is the neutral/formal version of the idiom.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Perché sei così rosso in faccia?' B: 'Perché ho appena ________ davanti a tutti.'
The verb used with 'figuraccia' is always 'fare'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Types of Figuracce
Social
- • Spilling wine
- • Wrong name
- • Loud burp
Professional
- • Late to meeting
- • Unprepared
- • Reply all
Digital
- • Wrong group
- • Hot mic
- • Accidental like
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosIeri sera alla cena, io ________ una figuraccia tremenda.
The sentence refers to 'ieri sera' (yesterday evening), so the 'passato prossimo' (ho fatto) is required.
You accidentally send a complaining text about your boss to your boss.
'Che figuraccia!' is the standard exclamation for a social blunder.
Scegli l'opzione più formale:
'Brutta figura' is the neutral/formal version of the idiom.
A: 'Perché sei così rosso in faccia?' B: 'Perché ho appena ________ davanti a tutti.'
The verb used with 'figuraccia' is always 'fare'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, it is not a swear word. It is informal but perfectly acceptable in most social and even some professional situations.
Yes, you can use it for anything from a tiny slip of the tongue to a major public failure.
The plural is 'figuracce'. For example: 'Faccio sempre delle figuracce.'
You can say 'Mi vergogno' or 'Sono imbarazzato', but 'Ho fatto una figuraccia' explains *why* you are embarrassed.
Yes, it is a standard Italian idiom used from Milan to Sicily.
Yes, although 'figuraccia' already implies something negative, adding 'piccola' softens the blow.
The verb is 'rimediare'. Example: 'Devo rimediare alla figuraccia di ieri.'
Almost. 'Brutta figura' is slightly more formal and less intense than 'figuraccia'.
Absolutely. It is very common in sports news when a big team loses to a small one.
It relates to the cultural concept of 'Bella Figura,' which emphasizes public dignity and aesthetic grace.
Frases relacionadas
fare una brutta figura
synonymTo make a bad impression.
fare una figura barbina
similarTo make a pathetic or meager impression.
fare una figura di merda
specialized formTo make a 'sh*t' impression.
fare una bella figura
contrastTo make a good impression.
