Signification
Describing a very bad situation.
Contexte culturel
Italians often use 'Che disastro' with a specific gesture: the 'hand purse' (fingertips together) moved up and down, or a light slap to the cheek. In the South, you might hear 'Mannaggia!' used alongside 'Che disastro!' to add more emotional weight or a sense of 'damn it!'. Using 'Che disastro' about a project is a common way to bond with colleagues over shared difficulties, often followed by a coffee break to discuss it. A 'disastro' in fashion (like wearing socks with sandals) is a serious social faux pas in Italy, often commented on with this phrase.
Use it for empathy
When a friend complains, saying 'Che disastro!' is a great way to show you are listening.
No 'un' after 'Che'
Remember: 'Che disastro!', NOT 'Che un disastro!'.
Signification
Describing a very bad situation.
Use it for empathy
When a friend complains, saying 'Che disastro!' is a great way to show you are listening.
No 'un' after 'Che'
Remember: 'Che disastro!', NOT 'Che un disastro!'.
Add a sigh
A long sigh before saying it makes you sound 100% more Italian.
The 'Fantozzi' Effect
Italians often use this phrase to laugh at their own bad luck, a trait seen in famous Italian comedies.
Teste-toi
How do you say 'What a disaster!' when you spill your wine?
Ops! ______ disastro!
In Italian exclamations, 'Che' is used to mean 'What a...'.
Complete the sentence to describe a messy room.
La mia camera è un ________.
'Disastro' is a masculine singular noun.
Match the reaction to the situation.
Situation: You forgot your best friend's birthday.
Forgetting a birthday is a social 'disaster'.
Fill in the missing line.
A: Ho bruciato la pizza! B: ________!
Burning a pizza is a negative event requiring a sympathetic exclamation.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Disastro vs. Peccato
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesOps! ______ disastro!
In Italian exclamations, 'Che' is used to mean 'What a...'.
La mia camera è un ________.
'Disastro' is a masculine singular noun.
Situation: You forgot your best friend's birthday.
Forgetting a birthday is a social 'disaster'.
A: Ho bruciato la pizza! B: ________!
Burning a pizza is a negative event requiring a sympathetic exclamation.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's not rude. It's a standard exclamation. However, 'Che casino' is slightly more vulgar.
Yes, 'Sei un disastro' means 'You're a mess/handful', usually said to friends or children.
No, 'disastro' is always masculine, even if you're talking about a woman.
'Disastro' is more general; 'macello' implies a loud, physical mess.
The word 'disastro' is, but the exclamation 'Che disastro!' is mostly informal/spoken.
Only sarcastically. For example, if you have 'too much' of a good thing.
It's a hard 'K' sound. Never 'sh'.
Yes, it is a standard national expression.
Absolutely! It's very common in WhatsApp chats.
It means a 'foretold disaster'—something everyone saw coming.
Expressions liées
Che macello
synonymWhat a mess/slaughterhouse
Che casino
synonymWhat a mess/brothel
Che pasticcio
similarWhat a muddle
Meno male
contrastThank goodness
Un disastro annunciato
specialized formA disaster waiting to happen
