Meaning
Floor level.
Cultural Background
In Italy, the 'piano terra' (ground floor) is the level of the street. Being 'a terra' is physically being at this entry level, which is central to social life in Italian 'piazze'. Italians have a deep connection to cars and scooters. 'La batteria è a terra' is a phrase every Italian learns early, reflecting the practical reality of maintaining vehicles. It is culturally acceptable in Italy to admit you are 'a terra' (down). It is seen as an honest expression of 'stanchezza' (tiredness) rather than a sign of weakness. The word 'terra' (land/soil) is sacred in many Italian regions. While 'a terra' can mean exhausted, 'lavorare la terra' (working the land) is a source of pride.
The Battery Rule
Always use 'a terra' for car batteries. It makes you sound like a local who knows their way around a garage.
No Plurals!
Never say 'a terre'. Even if you are talking about a hundred dead batteries, it stays 'a terra'.
Meaning
Floor level.
The Battery Rule
Always use 'a terra' for car batteries. It makes you sound like a local who knows their way around a garage.
No Plurals!
Never say 'a terre'. Even if you are talking about a hundred dead batteries, it stays 'a terra'.
Empathy
If a friend says 'sono a terra', don't just say 'ok'. It's a signal they need a coffee or a chat.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'a terra'.
Dopo la maratona, i corridori sono tutti ___.
The phrase 'a terra' is fixed and does not change for plural subjects.
Which sentence correctly describes a dead phone battery?
Il mio telefono non si accende...
'A terra' is the idiomatic way to say a battery is completely dead.
Match the meaning of 'a terra' to the situation.
Situation: 'Ho lasciato il libro a terra.'
In this context, it simply means the book is on the floor.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: 'Vuoi venire in discoteca?' B: 'No, scusa, oggi lavoro da 10 ore e ___.'
We use the verb 'essere' (sono) with 'a terra' to describe our state of exhaustion.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
The Three Faces of 'A Terra'
Physical
- • Objects on floor
- • Sitting down
- • Fallen items
Technical
- • Dead phone
- • Car battery
- • Grounded plane
Emotional
- • Exhaustion
- • Sadness
- • Burnout
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDopo la maratona, i corridori sono tutti ___.
The phrase 'a terra' is fixed and does not change for plural subjects.
Il mio telefono non si accende...
'A terra' is the idiomatic way to say a battery is completely dead.
Situation: 'Ho lasciato il libro a terra.'
In this context, it simply means the book is on the floor.
A: 'Vuoi venire in discoteca?' B: 'No, scusa, oggi lavoro da 10 ore e ___.'
We use the verb 'essere' (sono) with 'a terra' to describe our state of exhaustion.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it works for any battery-operated device, though 'scarico' is also common for laptops.
'Giù' is more general (down), while 'a terra' is more extreme (at the very bottom).
Yes, it is neutral and can be used with anyone, though it's informal when talking about feelings.
It means both. Italian doesn't distinguish between 'ground' and 'floor' as strictly as English does.
Usually no. You would say 'mi siedo a terra' (I sit on the floor) or 'cado a terra' (I fall on the floor).
Yes, if a player is injured and lying on the field, the commentator will say 'Il giocatore è a terra'.
No, for that you use 'terra' or 'paese', but not the phrase 'a terra'.
Use 'Sono in punizione'. 'Sono a terra' would mean you are exhausted.
Yes, to describe a market that has crashed or a project that isn't moving.
There isn't one direct opposite, but 'al settimo cielo' (on cloud nine) or 'carico' (full of energy) work well.
Related Phrases
per terra
similarOn the floor/ground
terra terra
specialized formVery basic or unrefined
mettere a terra
builds onTo ground (electricity) or to put down
sotto terra
contrastUnderground
con i piedi per terra
similarDown to earth / realistic
