Signification
To be obsessed with an activity.
Contexte culturel
The game of 'bocce' is a staple of Italian social life, especially in small towns. It represents a slow, focused, and community-oriented way of life. Using an idiom derived from it shows an appreciation for this heritage. Having 'il pallino degli affari' is a high compliment in Italy. It suggests not just greed, but a natural, almost artistic talent for commerce and negotiation. Teachers often use this phrase to encourage students. If a child 'ha il pallino per la matematica', the school system tries to nurture that specific 'fixation' as a future career path. While the phrase is national, in Tuscany you might hear more colorful variations involving 'fissa'. However, 'pallino' remains the most 'elegant' way to describe an obsession.
Use it for talents
If someone is naturally good at math, say 'Ha il pallino per i numeri'. It sounds very native.
Preposition check
Remember: 'per' for things, 'di' for actions. Don't mix them up!
Signification
To be obsessed with an activity.
Use it for talents
If someone is naturally good at math, say 'Ha il pallino per i numeri'. It sounds very native.
Preposition check
Remember: 'per' for things, 'di' for actions. Don't mix them up!
The 'Fisso' upgrade
Add 'fisso' if you want to describe someone who is truly, 100% obsessed and won't stop talking about it.
Bocce context
If you see people playing bocce in Italy, you can literally say 'Chi ha il pallino?' to ask whose turn it is.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing preposition (di/del/della/per).
Mio nonno ha sempre avuto il pallino ______ giardinaggio.
With a masculine noun like 'giardinaggio', we use the articulated preposition 'del' (di + il).
Which sentence is the most natural way to describe a long-term passion?
How would you say 'He has a thing for old movies'?
The idiom requires the definite article 'il' and the preposition 'per' before a noun.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the idiom.
A: Perché Maria studia il giapponese giorno e notte? B: Perché lei ______ di andare a vivere a Tokyo.
The verb used in this idiom is always 'avere' (to have).
Match the person to their 'pallino'.
1. Uno chef, 2. Un banchiere, 3. Un viaggiatore
These are the most logical associations for these professions/lifestyles.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Intensity Scale
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMio nonno ha sempre avuto il pallino ______ giardinaggio.
With a masculine noun like 'giardinaggio', we use the articulated preposition 'del' (di + il).
How would you say 'He has a thing for old movies'?
The idiom requires the definite article 'il' and the preposition 'per' before a noun.
A: Perché Maria studia il giapponese giorno e notte? B: Perché lei ______ di andare a vivere a Tokyo.
The verb used in this idiom is always 'avere' (to have).
1. Uno chef, 2. Un banchiere, 3. Un viaggiatore
These are the most logical associations for these professions/lifestyles.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsUsually no. It's more of a quirky or passionate trait. However, if you say 'pallino fisso', it can imply the person is a bit annoying.
No, we don't say 'Ho il pallino per Maria'. Use 'essere innamorato' or 'avere una cotta'.
'Passione' is broader. 'Pallino' implies a specific, often technical or quirky, mental focus.
It's better to say 'Ho il pallino per...'. Using 'un' makes it sound like a physical object.
Yes, it is a standard Italian idiom recognized everywhere.
Yes, to describe a professional passion, e.g., 'Ho sempre avuto il pallino per l'organizzazione'.
It's gender-neutral. Anyone can have a 'pallino'.
Both games use a 'pallino', but the idiom is most strongly associated with the strategy of bocce.
Grammatically yes, but the idiom usually implies one main focus. You'd say 'Ho diversi pallini'.
There isn't a direct opposite idiom, but you could say 'non mi interessa affatto'.
Absolutely. It's very common for parents to describe their kids' interests this way.
Yes! 'Ha il pallino del cibo biologico' is a great sentence.
No, it's an informal idiom. Slang would be 'essere in fissa'.
You would say 'Mi è passata la voglia' or 'Non ho più quel pallino'.
Expressions liées
avere il chiodo fisso
synonymTo have a fixed nail (a persistent thought)
essere fissato con
similarTo be obsessed/fixated with
avere una marcia in più
builds onTo have an extra gear
perdere il pallino
contrastTo lose the small ball / lose control
