B1 Expression ニュートラル

avere un debole per qualcuno

to have a soft spot

意味

To like someone particularly.

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文化的背景

The 'debole' is often used to describe the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren. In Italy, grandmothers are famous for 'having a debole' for their grandsons, often feeding them more than others. Using 'avere un debole' is a common way to flirt without being too aggressive. It suggests that the other person has a 'power' over you because of your 'weakness' for them. In the South, expressions of fondness are often even more physical, but 'avere un debole' remains the standard 'polite' way to admit favoritism in a family. On Italian Instagram, you'll see #un debole used for aesthetic photos of architecture, fashion, or food, showing that the idiom has moved into the digital 'lifestyle' space.

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Use it for 'Guilty Pleasures'

It's the best phrase to use when you like something that might be considered 'uncool' or 'bad for you', like trashy TV or junk food.

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Don't use 'di'

Even though in English we say 'weakness OF', in Italian it is always 'debole PER'. Using 'di' is a very common beginner mistake.

意味

To like someone particularly.

💡

Use it for 'Guilty Pleasures'

It's the best phrase to use when you like something that might be considered 'uncool' or 'bad for you', like trashy TV or junk food.

⚠️

Don't use 'di'

Even though in English we say 'weakness OF', in Italian it is always 'debole PER'. Using 'di' is a very common beginner mistake.

🎯

Diminutives

Use 'deboluccio' to sound more native and playful when talking about a minor crush.

自分をテスト

Fill in the missing preposition.

Ho un debole ___ le macchine d'epoca.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: per

The expression 'avere un debole' always requires the preposition 'per'.

Which sentence is grammatically correct for a woman speaking?

A woman wants to say she likes her nephew.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Ho un debole per mio nipote.

'Un debole' is a masculine noun phrase and doesn't change based on the speaker's gender.

Match the sentence to the context.

Context: You are at a bakery and see a cannolo.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Ho un debole per i dolci siciliani.

This is the correct way to express a 'soft spot' for a specific food.

Complete the dialogue.

A: 'Perché hai comprato un altro paio di scarpe?' B: 'Lo sai che...'

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: ...ho un debole per le scarpe rosse!

This correctly uses the idiom to explain an irresistible purchase.

🎉 スコア: /4

ビジュアル学習ツール

練習問題バンク

4 問題
Fill in the missing preposition. Fill Blank A2

Ho un debole ___ le macchine d'epoca.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: per

The expression 'avere un debole' always requires the preposition 'per'.

Which sentence is grammatically correct for a woman speaking? Choose B1

A woman wants to say she likes her nephew.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Ho un debole per mio nipote.

'Un debole' is a masculine noun phrase and doesn't change based on the speaker's gender.

Match the sentence to the context. situation_matching A2

Context: You are at a bakery and see a cannolo.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Ho un debole per i dolci siciliani.

This is the correct way to express a 'soft spot' for a specific food.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion B1

A: 'Perché hai comprato un altro paio di scarpe?' B: 'Lo sai che...'

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: ...ho un debole per le scarpe rosse!

This correctly uses the idiom to explain an irresistible purchase.

🎉 スコア: /4

よくある質問

10 問

Yes! You can say 'Ho un debole per le scarpe' or 'Ho un debole per il cioccolato'. It works for anything you find irresistible.

It can be, but it doesn't have to be. You can have a 'debole' for a friend, a nephew, or a teacher. It just means a special fondness.

'Mi piace' is general. 'Ho un debole' implies that you have a specific vulnerability to that person/thing; you find it harder to be objective or say no to them.

Yes, in this idiom, 'debole' is a masculine noun. You always say 'un debole', never 'una debole'.

Yes, if you're talking about a passion for the company's product or field, but avoid using it about people in the office to avoid sounding biased.

Use the imperfect: 'Avevo un debole per lei' (I used to have a soft spot) or the passato prossimo: 'Ho avuto un debole per lei' (I had a soft spot).

It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or with your best friend. It's not slang, but it's not 'frozen' formal either.

It's better to say 'Ho un debole per il fumo'. Usually, we use a noun after 'per', not an infinitive verb.

No. It means you have a 'weak point' for that specific thing. It doesn't imply you are a weak person overall.

Technically you could say 'Ho dei deboli', but it's almost never used. Stick to the singular 'un debole'.

関連フレーズ

🔗

andare matto per

similar

To go crazy for something/someone.

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avere un pallino per

similar

To have a 'thing' or obsession for something.

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essere il cocco di

specialized form

To be the teacher's pet or the favorite.

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perdere la testa per

builds on

To lose one's head over someone.

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