A1 Idiom ニュートラル

Cadere dalle nuvole

To be surprised

意味

Being completely unaware or shocked.

🌍

文化的背景

Italians often use this idiom with a specific hand gesture: shrugging while showing open palms. It emphasizes the 'I have nothing to do with this' or 'I am totally innocent' aspect. The phrase is a staple in Italian talk shows and political debates. It is often used as a weapon to accuse opponents of being out of touch with the 'real' problems of citizens. In the South, there is a similar dialectal expression 'Cadere d' 'o mazzo' (falling from the bunch), which carries a similar meaning of being caught off guard. The movie 'Cado dalle nubi' by Checco Zalone popularized the idea of the 'cloud-faller' as a lovable, naive character who doesn't understand modern social norms.

💡

The 'Essere' Rule

Always remember: 'Io SONO caduto', never 'Io HO caduto'. This is the most common mistake for English speakers.

⚠️

Don't be too literal

If you say this during a storm, people might think you are talking about the rain! Use it only for figurative shock.

意味

Being completely unaware or shocked.

💡

The 'Essere' Rule

Always remember: 'Io SONO caduto', never 'Io HO caduto'. This is the most common mistake for English speakers.

⚠️

Don't be too literal

If you say this during a storm, people might think you are talking about the rain! Use it only for figurative shock.

🎯

Sarcasm is key

Try using it with a slightly raised eyebrow to show you don't believe the person who claims to be surprised.

自分をテスト

Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'cadere' in the Passato Prossimo.

Quando Maria ha saputo la verità, lei _______ dalle nuvole.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: è caduta

Maria is feminine singular, and 'cadere' takes 'essere'.

Which of these is the correct idiom?

Non sapevo nulla, io...

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: cado dalle nuvole

The idiom is fixed: 'dalle' (from the) and 'nuvole' (plural).

Match the situation to the correct reaction.

Situations: 1. You win the lottery. 2. You are daydreaming. 3. You are standing firm.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: 1-B, 2-A, 3-C

Winning the lottery makes you 'fall from the clouds' (shock). Daydreaming is 'head in the clouds'. Standing firm is 'feet on the ground'.

Complete the dialogue.

A: 'Sapevi che Marco ha perso il lavoro?' B: 'No! _______!'

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Entrambe sono corrette

Both 'cadere dalle nuvole' and 'cadere dal pero' express shock at news.

In which situation is 'cadere dalle nuvole' used sarcastically?

Choose the best scenario.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: A politician pretending not to know about a bribe.

Sarcastic usage implies feigned ignorance.

🎉 スコア: /5

ビジュアル学習ツール

練習問題バンク

5 問題
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'cadere' in the Passato Prossimo. Fill Blank A1

Quando Maria ha saputo la verità, lei _______ dalle nuvole.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: è caduta

Maria is feminine singular, and 'cadere' takes 'essere'.

Which of these is the correct idiom? Choose A1

Non sapevo nulla, io...

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: cado dalle nuvole

The idiom is fixed: 'dalle' (from the) and 'nuvole' (plural).

Match the situation to the correct reaction. Match A2

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: 1-B, 2-A, 3-C

Winning the lottery makes you 'fall from the clouds' (shock). Daydreaming is 'head in the clouds'. Standing firm is 'feet on the ground'.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion B1

A: 'Sapevi che Marco ha perso il lavoro?' B: 'No! _______!'

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Entrambe sono corrette

Both 'cadere dalle nuvole' and 'cadere dal pero' express shock at news.

In which situation is 'cadere dalle nuvole' used sarcastically? situation_matching B2

Choose the best scenario.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: A politician pretending not to know about a bribe.

Sarcastic usage implies feigned ignorance.

🎉 スコア: /5

よくある質問

10 問

Yes! It works for both good and bad news, as long as the surprise is total.

It is always plural: 'dalle nuvole'.

It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.

'Cadere dal pero' is slightly more informal and often implies the person was being a bit stupid or naive.

Use 'Sono caduto dalle nuvole' (male) or 'Sono caduta dalle nuvole' (female).

It's better to use 'Sono rimasto sorpreso' in a very formal email, but 'Cadere dalle nuvole' is fine for internal team chats.

No. 'Head in the clouds' is 'avere la testa tra le nuvole' (daydreaming). 'Cadere dalle nuvole' is the moment you stop daydreaming because of a shock.

Yes, usually a shrug with open palms facing upward.

No, that's not a standard idiom. Stick to 'nuvole'.

Yes, it is a standard Italian idiom recognized from North to South.

関連フレーズ

🔗

Avere la testa tra le nuvole

similar

To have one's head in the clouds (daydreaming).

🔄

Cadere dal pero

synonym

To fall from the pear tree.

🔗

Restare a bocca aperta

similar

To be left with one's mouth open (speechless).

🔗

Avere i piedi per terra

contrast

To have one's feet on the ground.

役に立った?
まだコメントがありません。最初に考えをシェアしましょう!