Signification
To annoy someone intentionally.
Contexte culturel
The 'dispetto' is a staple of Italian comedy (Commedia all'italiana), where characters often engage in elaborate petty rivalries. In some southern regions, a 'dispetto' can be seen as a small challenge to one's 'onore' (honor), leading to long-lasting family feuds. Teachers often use the phrase 'Non fatevi i dispetti' to encourage cooperation among children, reflecting a focus on social harmony. Classic authors like Boccaccio use 'dispetti' to drive the plot of their novellas, showing that this behavior is deeply rooted in the culture.
Use with Pronouns
Always try to use it with 'mi, ti, gli' to sound more native. 'Mi ha fatto un dispetto' sounds better than 'Ha fatto un dispetto a me'.
Intent Matters
Don't use this for accidents. If you didn't mean to do it, it's not a 'dispetto'.
Signification
To annoy someone intentionally.
Use with Pronouns
Always try to use it with 'mi, ti, gli' to sound more native. 'Mi ha fatto un dispetto' sounds better than 'Ha fatto un dispetto a me'.
Intent Matters
Don't use this for accidents. If you didn't mean to do it, it's not a 'dispetto'.
Childishness
Calling an adult's action a 'dispetto' often implies you think they are being immature.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'fare' and the pronoun.
Mio fratello (to me) ___ sempre ___ dispetti quando eravamo piccoli.
The sentence refers to a habitual action in the past (quando eravamo piccoli), so the Imperfetto 'faceva' is needed with the pronoun 'mi'.
Which situation is a 'dispetto'?
Quale di queste situazioni è un dispetto?
A 'dispetto' must be intentional and meant to annoy.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Perché hai cancellato il mio programma preferito dalla TV? B: L'ho fatto ___!
The context implies an intentional annoying action.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Scherzo vs. Dispetto
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesMio fratello (to me) ___ sempre ___ dispetti quando eravamo piccoli.
The sentence refers to a habitual action in the past (quando eravamo piccoli), so the Imperfetto 'faceva' is needed with the pronoun 'mi'.
Quale di queste situazioni è un dispetto?
A 'dispetto' must be intentional and meant to annoy.
A: Perché hai cancellato il mio programma preferito dalla TV? B: L'ho fatto ___!
The context implies an intentional annoying action.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it implies a negative intention, though it can be used playfully between very close friends or siblings.
Only if the prank is meant to be annoying. If it's just for a laugh, use 'scherzo'.
The plural is 'fare dei dispetti' or 'fare i dispetti'.
Use the phrase 'per dispetto'. For example: 'Lo ha fatto per dispetto'.
It's neutral. You can use it with friends or in a professional setting to describe petty behavior.
A 'torto' is a more serious injustice or a moral wrong; a 'dispetto' is a petty annoyance.
Italians often say this when a pet does something 'bad' on purpose, like peeing on a rug after being left alone.
Not a single verb, but you can use 'dispettare' (archaic/rare) or the adjective 'dispettoso'.
Only if you are describing a conflict you resolved, but be careful as it sounds a bit informal/petty.
It means 'despite' or 'in spite of'. It's a different grammatical structure.
Expressions liées
fare uno scherzo
similarTo play a prank
fare un torto
similarTo do a wrong
per dispetto
builds onOut of spite
dispettoso
specialized formSpiteful/Naughty
fare una cattiveria
synonymTo do something mean
