Figurati
Don't mention it
Phrase in 30 Seconds
The most versatile Italian way to say 'You're welcome' or 'Don't mention it' in casual conversation.
- Means: 'Don't even imagine it' or 'It's nothing' (literally 'Imagine yourself').
- Used in: Responding to thanks, dismissing apologies, or expressing 'No way!'.
- Don't confuse: Use 'Si figuri' for formal situations; 'Figurati' is for friends.
Explanation at your level:
मतलब
A polite response to thanks.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
The use of 'Figurati' is a hallmark of 'Italian warmth'. It is often accompanied by a specific gesture: a slight tilt of the head and a gentle wave of the hand, as if brushing away a fly. This physical movement reinforces the meaning of the word—dismissing the importance of the favor to make the other person feel at ease. In the South, 'Figurati' can be even more emphatic. You might hear 'Ma figurati, uè!' where the 'uè' adds a regional flavor of camaraderie. The emphasis on hospitality in the South makes the use of this phrase almost mandatory to avoid appearing cold. In the more fast-paced North, 'Figurati' is often clipped and used very efficiently. It’s the standard response in the 'aperitivo' culture when someone offers a light thanks for a drink or a snack. In Italian-American or Italian-Australian communities, 'Figurati' is one of the few words that often survives into the second and third generations, even if they don't speak full Italian. It remains a core marker of 'being Italian'.
The 'Ma' Factor
Always add 'Ma' (Ma figurati!) to sound 10x more like a native. It adds a layer of 'But of course!' to your response.
The Sarcastic Trap
Be careful with your tone. A flat 'Figurati' can sound like 'Yeah, right'. Keep it light and rising for 'You're welcome'.
मतलब
A polite response to thanks.
The 'Ma' Factor
Always add 'Ma' (Ma figurati!) to sound 10x more like a native. It adds a layer of 'But of course!' to your response.
The Sarcastic Trap
Be careful with your tone. A flat 'Figurati' can sound like 'Yeah, right'. Keep it light and rising for 'You're welcome'.
Body Language
Use a small hand gesture (palm up or a slight wave) to complete the 'Figurati' vibe.
खुद को परखो
Choose the best response to the following: 'Grazie mille per l'aiuto!' (to a close friend)
A friend just thanked you for helping them move a table. What do you say?
'Figurati' is the perfect informal response to thanks among friends.
Fill in the blank with the correct formal form.
Dottore, grazie per la Sua disponibilità. — ______, è il mio lavoro.
Since you are addressing a 'Dottore' (formal), you must use 'Si figuri'.
Match the use of 'Figurati' to the correct meaning.
1. 'Figurati se piove!' 2. 'Grazie!' 'Figurati!' 3. 'Scusa!' 'Figurati!'
Figurati is versatile: it can mean 'No way' (1), 'You're welcome' (2), or 'No worries' (3).
Complete the dialogue with the most natural expression.
A: 'Ti va di venire a correre?' B: '______! Sono stanchissimo.'
In this context, 'Figurati!' means 'No way!' or 'As if!', expressing that the idea of running is impossible given the speaker's tiredness.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
The 3 Faces of Figurati
Response to Thanks
- • Grazie!
- • Figurati!
Response to Apology
- • Scusa!
- • Figurati!
Disbelief
- • Verrà?
- • Figurati!
Informal vs Formal
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
12 सवालYes, it is very polite but informal. It's the standard way to be friendly in Italy.
No, you should say 'Si figuri' to show respect to a teacher or professor.
'Prego' is more general and formal. 'Figurati' is warmer and can also be used for apologies.
Mostly, but it can also mean 'No worries' or 'No way' depending on the context.
It's a single tap of the tongue against the roof of the mouth, not a long trill.
Yes, it is a national expression used from Milan to Sicily.
Yes, if the email is to a friend or a close colleague. For formal emails, use 'Si figuri'.
It means 'Let alone' or 'Imagine us'. E.g., 'I can't run 1km, let alone 10!'
It's a reflexive pronoun meaning 'yourself'. The verb is 'figurarsi' (to imagine oneself).
No, it's standard informal Italian. Everyone uses it.
Yes, if someone apologizes for something that didn't affect you, you can say it.
Yes, 'Figuratevi' if you are talking to more than one person.
संबंधित मुहावरे
Prego
synonymYou're welcome / Please
Di niente
synonymOf nothing
Non c'è di che
synonymDon't mention it
Ci mancherebbe
similarThat's the least I could do
Figuriamoci
builds onLet alone / Much less
Ma ti pare
similarDoes it seem so to you?
कहाँ इस्तेमाल करें
Holding the door
Stranger (young): Grazie!
You: Figurati!
Lending a pen
Colleague: Posso prendere questa? Grazie.
You: Ma figurati, fai pure.
Apology for a small mistake
Friend: Scusa, ho dimenticato il tuo libro a casa.
You: Figurati, me lo porti domani.
Formal setting with an elder
Elderly Man: Grazie per l'aiuto con le borse, giovanotto.
You: Si figuri, è stato un piacere.
Expressing disbelief
Friend: Pensi che pioverà?
You: Figurati! C'è un sole bellissimo.
Texting a friend
Friend (WhatsApp): Grazie x ieri!
You: Figurati! Ci vediamo presto 😉
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Figure it out'. When someone thanks you, tell them to 'Figure it out' for themselves that it was no trouble at all!
Visual Association
Imagine a giant, heavy 'THANK YOU' sign being blown away by a tiny, gentle breeze. That breeze is the word 'Figurati'.
Rhyme
Se un grazie riceverai, 'Figurati' dirai!
Story
You help an old friend carry groceries. They are so grateful they offer you money. You push their hand back gently, smile, and say 'Figurati'. You are telling them to 'imagine' (figura) that we are such good friends that money isn't needed.
Word Web
चैलेंज
Today, every time you want to say 'You're welcome' in your head, replace it with 'Figurati'. Try to say it out loud at least three times.
In Other Languages
¡Imagina! / ¡Faltaría más!
Italian 'Figurati' is more common as a standard 'You're welcome' than 'Imagina' is in Spain.
Je vous en prie / De rien
French lacks the 'mental imagery' aspect found in the Italian root.
Gern geschehen / Keine Ursache
German is much more literal and less figurative than the Italian expression.
とんでもない (Tondemo nai)
Japanese usage is heavily tied to complex levels of politeness (keigo) that go beyond the simple Tu/Lei distinction.
عفوا (Afwan)
The Italian version is about the other person's imagination, while the Arabic is about the speaker's humility.
不客气 (Bù kèqì)
Chinese focuses on the guest-host relationship, whereas Italian focuses on the 'size' of the favor in one's mind.
천만에요 (Cheonman-eyo)
The Korean phrase is becoming less common in daily speech compared to the ubiquitous Italian 'Figurati'.
Imagina
The usage is almost identical, making it very easy for Portuguese speakers to learn 'Figurati'.
Easily Confused
Learners use 'Prego' for everything, but it doesn't work for apologies.
Use 'Prego' for 'You're welcome', but use 'Figurati' for 'No worries' after an apology.
Both mean 'Imagine', but they aren't interchangeable.
Use 'Immagina' for literal imagination (e.g., a story). Use 'Figurati' as a social response.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल (12)
Yes, it is very polite but informal. It's the standard way to be friendly in Italy.
No, you should say 'Si figuri' to show respect to a teacher or professor.
'Prego' is more general and formal. 'Figurati' is warmer and can also be used for apologies.
Mostly, but it can also mean 'No worries' or 'No way' depending on the context.
It's a single tap of the tongue against the roof of the mouth, not a long trill.
Yes, it is a national expression used from Milan to Sicily.
Yes, if the email is to a friend or a close colleague. For formal emails, use 'Si figuri'.
It means 'Let alone' or 'Imagine us'. E.g., 'I can't run 1km, let alone 10!'
It's a reflexive pronoun meaning 'yourself'. The verb is 'figurarsi' (to imagine oneself).
No, it's standard informal Italian. Everyone uses it.
Yes, if someone apologizes for something that didn't affect you, you can say it.
Yes, 'Figuratevi' if you are talking to more than one person.
