Signification
Taking or giving a lot.
Contexte culturel
In Italy, especially in the South, offering food 'a piene mani' is a point of pride. Refusing can sometimes be seen as a slight to the host's generosity. Great authors like Alessandro Manzoni used this phrase to describe both the bounty of nature and the corruption of men, showing the phrase's dual nature. In Italian newspapers, you will often see 'spendere a piene mani' used to criticize government waste or 'spesa pubblica' (public spending). Critics use this phrase to describe 'citazionismo' (the act of quoting other works). If a movie feels like a mix of other movies, it 'attinge a piene mani' from them.
The 'Mano' Trap
Always remember that 'mani' is feminine. If you say 'a pieni mani', Italians will understand you, but it's the most common mistake for learners.
Use with 'Attingere'
If you want to sound very native in a professional or academic setting, use 'attingere a piene mani' when talking about your research or influences.
Signification
Taking or giving a lot.
The 'Mano' Trap
Always remember that 'mani' is feminine. If you say 'a pieni mani', Italians will understand you, but it's the most common mistake for learners.
Use with 'Attingere'
If you want to sound very native in a professional or academic setting, use 'attingere a piene mani' when talking about your research or influences.
Context Matters
Be careful using it with 'prendere' (to take). It can sound like you are being greedy if the context isn't clear.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Il nonno regala caramelle ai bambini a _____ mani.
'Mani' is feminine plural, so the adjective must be 'piene'.
Which verb is MOST commonly used with 'a piene mani' to mean 'drawing inspiration'?
Lo scrittore ha _____ a piene mani dalla storia antica.
'Attingere a piene mani' is a very common collocation meaning to draw heavily from a source.
Match the sentence to the most likely context.
Context: 'Hanno speso a piene mani per l'arredamento della casa.'
'Spendere a piene mani' implies large, generous spending.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Com'è il nuovo film di supereroi?' B: 'Bello, ma il regista ha preso idee _____ dai fumetti originali.'
'A piene mani' fits the context of taking many ideas. 'A mani vuote' means empty-handed, which wouldn't make sense.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIl nonno regala caramelle ai bambini a _____ mani.
'Mani' is feminine plural, so the adjective must be 'piene'.
Lo scrittore ha _____ a piene mani dalla storia antica.
'Attingere a piene mani' is a very common collocation meaning to draw heavily from a source.
Context: 'Hanno speso a piene mani per l'arredamento della casa.'
'Spendere a piene mani' implies large, generous spending.
A: 'Com'è il nuovo film di supereroi?' B: 'Bello, ma il regista ha preso idee _____ dai fumetti originali.'
'A piene mani' fits the context of taking many ideas. 'A mani vuote' means empty-handed, which wouldn't make sense.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with friends, but it's also common in literature and newspapers.
Yes, 'a mani piene' is a very common variation and means exactly the same thing.
Because 'mani' is the plural of 'mano', which is a feminine noun (la mano). Feminine plural adjectives end in -e.
Yes, for example, 'sprecare soldi a piene mani' (to waste money abundantly).
No, it applies to help, love, ideas, food, and any resource that can be 'given' or 'taken'.
Similar, but 'a bizzeffe' is usually used for quantities of objects, while 'a piene mani' describes the *way* someone acts.
No, you wouldn't say 'c'erano persone a piene mani'. Use 'un sacco di persone' instead.
It literally means carrying something using both hands because there is so much of it.
Expressions liées
a mani vuote
contrastEmpty-handed.
essere di manica larga
similarTo be generous/lenient.
a bizzeffe
synonymIn great abundance.
a iosa
synonymPlenty of / Galore.
