Signification
To feel nervous or excited.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is a staple of the Sanremo Music Festival, where singers often describe their pre-performance nerves using this idiom in interviews. On TikTok and Instagram, Italian Gen Z uses the butterfly emoji (🦋) as a shorthand for this idiom, often in 'POV' videos about dating. Modern Italian 'chick-lit' and YA novels (like those by Federico Moccia) heavily use this phrase to describe teenage angst and first loves. While the idiom is national, in the South, people might also say 'mi balla lo stomaco' (my stomach is dancing) to describe a similar feeling.
Use it for 'Good' Nerves
Remember that this idiom usually has a positive or bittersweet connotation. If you're genuinely terrified for your life, use 'terrore'.
The 'Nello' Trap
Don't say 'nel stomaco'. It's the most common mistake for non-native speakers and immediately gives you away.
Signification
To feel nervous or excited.
Use it for 'Good' Nerves
Remember that this idiom usually has a positive or bittersweet connotation. If you're genuinely terrified for your life, use 'terrore'.
The 'Nello' Trap
Don't say 'nel stomaco'. It's the most common mistake for non-native speakers and immediately gives you away.
Combine with 'Batticuore'
To sound really native when talking about love, say: 'Avevo un tale batticuore e le farfalle nello stomaco che non riuscivo a parlare!'
Teste-toi
Completa la frase con la forma corretta della preposizione articolata.
Quando ho visto il mio attore preferito, ho sentito le farfalle ____ stomaco.
'Stomaco' requires 'lo', so 'in' + 'lo' = 'nello'.
In quale situazione è appropriato usare questa espressione?
Quale di queste persone ha le farfalle nello stomaco?
The idiom describes nervous excitement, typical of public speaking.
Scegli la risposta più naturale.
A: 'Sei pronta per il tuo primo appuntamento con Paolo?' B: 'Oddio, non proprio... _________!'
The standard idiom uses 'farfalle' and 'stomaco'.
Abbina l'emozione alla frase corretta.
1. Paura di parlare in pubblico | 2. Innamoramento | 3. Fame estrema
'Farfalle' is for nerves/love, 'buco' (hole) is for hunger.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Stomach Idioms
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesQuando ho visto il mio attore preferito, ho sentito le farfalle ____ stomaco.
'Stomaco' requires 'lo', so 'in' + 'lo' = 'nello'.
Quale di queste persone ha le farfalle nello stomaco?
The idiom describes nervous excitement, typical of public speaking.
A: 'Sei pronta per il tuo primo appuntamento con Paolo?' B: 'Oddio, non proprio... _________!'
The standard idiom uses 'farfalle' and 'stomaco'.
1. Paura di parlare in pubblico | 2. Innamoramento | 3. Fame estrema
'Farfalle' is for nerves/love, 'buco' (hole) is for hunger.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's very common for performance anxiety (stage fright) or any big, exciting event.
You can, and people will understand, but 'nello stomaco' is the standard idiomatic form.
No, it's informal to neutral. You wouldn't use it in a legal document, but it's fine in a novel or a conversation with a boss you're friendly with.
There isn't a direct 'opposite' idiom, but 'essere calmi come l'olio' (to be calm as oil) describes the lack of nerves.
Because 'stomaco' starts with 's' + consonant, which requires the article 'lo'. 'In' + 'lo' = 'nello'.
Yes, absolutely. It is gender-neutral in Italian.
No, it's relatively modern, likely entering Italian in the mid-20th century.
Yes, it's a very natural way to describe interview nerves.
No, if you are physically sick, say 'ho la nausea' or 'mi sento male'.
Yes, in context, 'ho le farfalle' is often used as a shorthand.
Expressions liées
avere il batticuore
similarTo have a racing heart
avere il trac
specialized formStage fright
avere lo stomaco chiuso
contrastTo be unable to eat due to stress
colpo di fulmine
builds onLove at first sight
sentirsi le gambe di pasta frolla
similarTo have weak/shaky legs
