Significado
Misunderstanding a situation completely.
Contexto cultural
Journalists often use this phrase to highlight when a public figure makes a statement that is easily proven wrong. Using this phrase to describe your own mistake makes you seem humble and relatable in Italian social circles. While understood everywhere, in Tuscany you might also hear 'prendere un granchio' just as frequently. Many old Italian buildings have 'paracarro' stones at the corners specifically to prevent carriages from 'taking a cantonata' literally.
Add 'Bella' for Emphasis
If you want to sound like a native, say 'Ho preso una BELLA cantonata'. It adds a touch of irony.
Not for Typos
Don't use it for spelling mistakes. Use 'errore' or 'refuso' instead.
Significado
Misunderstanding a situation completely.
Add 'Bella' for Emphasis
If you want to sound like a native, say 'Ho preso una BELLA cantonata'. It adds a touch of irony.
Not for Typos
Don't use it for spelling mistakes. Use 'errore' or 'refuso' instead.
Use it to be Likable
Admitting you took a 'cantonata' is a great way to show you are humble and have a sense of humor.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'prendere'.
Ieri io e Marco abbiamo ______ una cantonata pazzesca con l'indirizzo della festa.
The idiom always uses the verb 'prendere'. In the passato prossimo with 'noi', it becomes 'abbiamo preso'.
Which situation best describes 'prendere una cantonata'?
Quale situazione è una 'cantonata'?
Option B describes a misunderstanding of a situation (the time), which is a classic 'cantonata'. A is just a typo, C is a normal action, and D is a physical injury.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural phrase.
A: 'Ho investito tutti i miei soldi in quella startup, ma è fallita.' B: 'Eh caro mio, hai ______.'
Investing in a failing startup is a major error in judgment, making 'prendere una cantonata' the perfect response.
Match the adjective to the 'cantonata' to show its size.
If you make a HUGE mistake, you say you took a cantonata...
In Italian, 'bella' is often used ironically with 'cantonata' to mean 'big' or 'significant'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosIeri io e Marco abbiamo ______ una cantonata pazzesca con l'indirizzo della festa.
The idiom always uses the verb 'prendere'. In the passato prossimo with 'noi', it becomes 'abbiamo preso'.
Quale situazione è una 'cantonata'?
Option B describes a misunderstanding of a situation (the time), which is a classic 'cantonata'. A is just a typo, C is a normal action, and D is a physical injury.
A: 'Ho investito tutti i miei soldi in quella startup, ma è fallita.' B: 'Eh caro mio, hai ______.'
Investing in a failing startup is a major error in judgment, making 'prendere una cantonata' the perfect response.
If you make a HUGE mistake, you say you took a cantonata...
In Italian, 'bella' is often used ironically with 'cantonata' to mean 'big' or 'significant'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, it's not rude. It's informal and slightly colorful, but perfectly acceptable in most social and professional settings.
Technically yes, but people will think you are using the idiom. For a real crash, use 'fare un incidente'.
They are almost identical. 'Granchio' (crab) is slightly more informal and common in Central Italy.
No, that's a common mistake for English speakers. You must use the verb 'prendere'.
Rarely. In a formal essay, you would use 'commettere un errore grossolano'.
No, 'angolo' is the general word for corner. 'Cantonata' specifically refers to the external corner of a building.
It's better for 'big' blunders. For small things, just use 'sbaglio'.
Yes, 'prendere delle cantonate', but it's much more common in the singular.
Say 'Ho preso una cantonata pazzesca' or 'una cantonata colossale'.
No, it is standard Italian and understood from Milan to Sicily.
Frases relacionadas
prendere un granchio
synonymTo catch a crab (make a mistake).
prendere un abbaglio
similarTo be dazzled/misled.
prendere fischi per fiaschi
specialized formTo confuse whistles for flasks.
andare liscio
contrastTo go smoothly.
