Meaning
Surprised or amazed.
Cultural Background
In Baroque art, artists like Bernini often sculpted figures with slightly open mouths to convey 'affetti' (emotions), particularly awe or divine inspiration. While 'a bocca aperta' is a common idiom, literally eating with your mouth open is considered very rude in Italy ('maleducazione'). In Naples, people might use even more dramatic gestures alongside the phrase, like touching the chin or widening the eyes significantly. On Italian social media, the 'shocked face' emoji 😲 is often captioned with 'A bocca aperta' in reaction videos.
Use it for travel
This is the #1 phrase to use when talking about Italian art and architecture. It makes you sound very appreciative!
Don't pluralize
Even if you are talking about 100 people, it is always 'a bocca aperta', never 'a bocche aperte'.
Meaning
Surprised or amazed.
Use it for travel
This is the #1 phrase to use when talking about Italian art and architecture. It makes you sound very appreciative!
Don't pluralize
Even if you are talking about 100 people, it is always 'a bocca aperta', never 'a bocche aperte'.
Pair with 'rimanere'
While 'essere' works, 'rimanere' sounds much more natural and idiomatic to native ears.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'rimanere' or 'lasciare'.
Il concerto è stato bellissimo! Io ________ a bocca aperta.
Since 'I' (Io) am the one who is surprised, we use 'rimanere' with the auxiliary 'essere'.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the correct plural usage.
The idiom 'a bocca aperta' is a fixed expression and does not change to plural.
What would Maria say in this situation?
Maria sees a surprise party for her. She says: 'Grazie! Questo regalo mi...'
The gift (regalo) is the thing doing the surprising, so we use 'lasciare'.
Match the reaction to the situation.
Situation: You see a 5-year-old child playing the piano like a professional.
This is a classic situation of amazement where the idiom fits perfectly.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIl concerto è stato bellissimo! Io ________ a bocca aperta.
Since 'I' (Io) am the one who is surprised, we use 'rimanere' with the auxiliary 'essere'.
Choose the correct plural usage.
The idiom 'a bocca aperta' is a fixed expression and does not change to plural.
Maria sees a surprise party for her. She says: 'Grazie! Questo regalo mi...'
The gift (regalo) is the thing doing the surprising, so we use 'lasciare'.
Situation: You see a 5-year-old child playing the piano like a professional.
This is a classic situation of amazement where the idiom fits perfectly.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsYes, but it usually implies shock or disbelief rather than deep sadness. For example, 'Sono rimasto a bocca aperta per la sua bugia' (I was stunned by his lie).
Both are understood, but 'a bocca aperta' is the fixed idiomatic form. 'Con la bocca aperta' sounds more literal, like you are physically holding your mouth open for a dentist.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss to describe a great result, or with your friends to describe a movie.
'Rimanere' is for the person feeling the surprise. 'Lasciare' is for the thing causing the surprise. 'Io rimango...' vs 'Il film mi lascia...'
Related Phrases
Rimanere di stucco
synonymTo be thunderstruck or turned to stone by surprise.
Mozzafiato
similarBreathtaking.
Senza parole
synonymSpeechless.
Sbalordito
similarAstonished.
