Signification
To have a short time remaining.
Contexte culturel
Italians are often superstitious about death. While the phrase is common, using it about a living person in their presence is considered 'jinxing' them (portare sfortuna). Journalists love this phrase for political instability. Italy has had many governments, so 'Il governo ha i giorni contati' is a very frequent headline. The 'panchina' (bench/coach position) is always 'a rischio'. If a coach loses two games, the media immediately says they have 'i giorni contati'. With the rapid digitalization of Italy (SPID, electronic payments), older people often say that 'la carta' (paper/bureaucracy) has 'i giorni contati'.
Use it for Drama
Use this phrase when you want to sound more like a native speaker during a complaint about technology. It shows you understand Italian flair.
Avoid with People
Unless you are talking about a job or a movie, avoid using this for people to stay polite and avoid being morbid.
Signification
To have a short time remaining.
Use it for Drama
Use this phrase when you want to sound more like a native speaker during a complaint about technology. It shows you understand Italian flair.
Avoid with People
Unless you are talking about a job or a movie, avoid using this for people to stay polite and avoid being morbid.
Newspaper Reading
Look for this in the 'Politica' or 'Sport' sections of Italian newspapers like Corriere della Sera. It's everywhere!
Teste-toi
Conjugate the verb 'avere' correctly.
Se continui a rompere le regole, tu ___ i giorni contati in questa scuola.
The subject is 'tu', so the verb 'avere' must be 'hai'.
Which situation is appropriate for this phrase?
In quale situazione useresti 'avere i giorni contati'?
The phrase is used for things that are about to end or fail.
Match the subject with the correct form of the phrase.
Collega il soggetto alla frase corretta.
All these show correct agreement between the subject and the verb 'avere'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Il mio capo è furioso con me.' B: 'Stai attento, secondo me ___.'
This is the correct idiomatic form and agreement.
Match the context to the meaning.
Se un medico dice che un paziente 'ha i giorni contati', cosa intende?
In a medical context, it refers to terminal illness.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Positive vs Negative Countdown
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesSe continui a rompere le regole, tu ___ i giorni contati in questa scuola.
The subject is 'tu', so the verb 'avere' must be 'hai'.
In quale situazione useresti 'avere i giorni contati'?
The phrase is used for things that are about to end or fail.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
All these show correct agreement between the subject and the verb 'avere'.
A: 'Il mio capo è furioso con me.' B: 'Stai attento, secondo me ___.'
This is the correct idiomatic form and agreement.
Se un medico dice che un paziente 'ha i giorni contati', cosa intende?
In a medical context, it refers to terminal illness.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes! If your battery is old and dies quickly, you can say 'La mia batteria ha i giorni contati.'
Both exist! 'Avere le ore contate' is even more urgent, meaning the end will happen within hours.
It's neutral. You can use it in a business meeting about a failing project or with friends.
No, it always stays 'contati' because it describes 'i giorni' (masculine plural).
No, say 'Ho il tempo contato' instead. 'Giorni contati' is too final.
Yes, many Italian pop and rock songs use it to describe a dying love or a rebel's life.
The closest equivalent is 'Your days are numbered.'
Not inherently, but it's very direct. Use it carefully when talking about someone's career.
No, that would sound like the party is going to be a disaster. Use 'mancano X giorni' instead.
Yes, it's one of the top 500 most useful idioms for intermediate learners.
No, it's a direct object construction: [Subject] + avere + i giorni contati.
Yes: 'Aveva i giorni contati' (His days were numbered).
Expressions liées
essere agli sgoccioli
similarto be at the very end
avere il tempo contato
similarto be in a rush
essere spacciato
synonymto be doomed
mancare poco
builds onnot much left
il canto del cigno
relatedswan song
stare per finire
similarto be about to finish
