B1 Idiom ニュートラル

avere i giorni contati

to have little time left

意味

To have a short time remaining.

🌍

文化的背景

Italians are often superstitious about death. While the phrase is common, using it about a living person in their presence is considered 'jinxing' them (portare sfortuna). Journalists love this phrase for political instability. Italy has had many governments, so 'Il governo ha i giorni contati' is a very frequent headline. The 'panchina' (bench/coach position) is always 'a rischio'. If a coach loses two games, the media immediately says they have 'i giorni contati'. With the rapid digitalization of Italy (SPID, electronic payments), older people often say that 'la carta' (paper/bureaucracy) has 'i giorni contati'.

🎯

Use it for Drama

Use this phrase when you want to sound more like a native speaker during a complaint about technology. It shows you understand Italian flair.

⚠️

Avoid with People

Unless you are talking about a job or a movie, avoid using this for people to stay polite and avoid being morbid.

意味

To have a short time remaining.

🎯

Use it for Drama

Use this phrase when you want to sound more like a native speaker during a complaint about technology. It shows you understand Italian flair.

⚠️

Avoid with People

Unless you are talking about a job or a movie, avoid using this for people to stay polite and avoid being morbid.

💬

Newspaper Reading

Look for this in the 'Politica' or 'Sport' sections of Italian newspapers like Corriere della Sera. It's everywhere!

自分をテスト

Conjugate the verb 'avere' correctly.

Se continui a rompere le regole, tu ___ i giorni contati in questa scuola.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: hai

The subject is 'tu', so the verb 'avere' must be 'hai'.

Which situation is appropriate for this phrase?

In quale situazione useresti 'avere i giorni contati'?

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Parlando di un vecchio computer che non si accende più.

The phrase is used for things that are about to end or fail.

Match the subject with the correct form of the phrase.

Collega il soggetto alla frase corretta.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: all

All these show correct agreement between the subject and the verb 'avere'.

Complete the dialogue.

A: 'Il mio capo è furioso con me.' B: 'Stai attento, secondo me ___.'

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: hai i giorni contati

This is the correct idiomatic form and agreement.

Match the context to the meaning.

Se un medico dice che un paziente 'ha i giorni contati', cosa intende?

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Il paziente morirà a breve.

In a medical context, it refers to terminal illness.

🎉 スコア: /5

ビジュアル学習ツール

Positive vs Negative Countdown

Contare i giorni (Positive)
Vacation Vacanze
Birthday Compleanno
Giorni contati (Negative)
Firing Licenziamento
Breakdown Rottura

練習問題バンク

5 問題
Conjugate the verb 'avere' correctly. Fill Blank A2

Se continui a rompere le regole, tu ___ i giorni contati in questa scuola.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: hai

The subject is 'tu', so the verb 'avere' must be 'hai'.

Which situation is appropriate for this phrase? Choose B1

In quale situazione useresti 'avere i giorni contati'?

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Parlando di un vecchio computer che non si accende più.

The phrase is used for things that are about to end or fail.

Match the subject with the correct form of the phrase. Match B1

左の各項目を右のペアと一致させてください:

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: all

All these show correct agreement between the subject and the verb 'avere'.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion B1

A: 'Il mio capo è furioso con me.' B: 'Stai attento, secondo me ___.'

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: hai i giorni contati

This is the correct idiomatic form and agreement.

Match the context to the meaning. situation_matching B1

Se un medico dice che un paziente 'ha i giorni contati', cosa intende?

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Il paziente morirà a breve.

In a medical context, it refers to terminal illness.

🎉 スコア: /5

よくある質問

12 問

Yes! If your battery is old and dies quickly, you can say 'La mia batteria ha i giorni contati.'

Both exist! 'Avere le ore contate' is even more urgent, meaning the end will happen within hours.

It's neutral. You can use it in a business meeting about a failing project or with friends.

No, it always stays 'contati' because it describes 'i giorni' (masculine plural).

No, say 'Ho il tempo contato' instead. 'Giorni contati' is too final.

Yes, many Italian pop and rock songs use it to describe a dying love or a rebel's life.

The closest equivalent is 'Your days are numbered.'

Not inherently, but it's very direct. Use it carefully when talking about someone's career.

No, that would sound like the party is going to be a disaster. Use 'mancano X giorni' instead.

Yes, it's one of the top 500 most useful idioms for intermediate learners.

No, it's a direct object construction: [Subject] + avere + i giorni contati.

Yes: 'Aveva i giorni contati' (His days were numbered).

関連フレーズ

🔗

essere agli sgoccioli

similar

to be at the very end

🔗

avere il tempo contato

similar

to be in a rush

🔄

essere spacciato

synonym

to be doomed

🔗

mancare poco

builds on

not much left

🔗

il canto del cigno

related

swan song

🔗

stare per finire

similar

to be about to finish

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