Signification
To be pleasing to someone.
Contexte culturel
Italians often use this phrase to avoid being too direct. Instead of saying 'I don't like you,' they say 'You don't go to my genius,' which sounds more like a personality clash than a personal insult. In Tuscany, the verb 'garbare' is used almost exclusively instead of 'andare a genio'. If you want to sound like a local in Florence, say 'Mi garba!'. In the South, you might hear 'andare a sangue' more often for things people are passionate about. It's a more 'bloody' and intense version of the idiom. In Italian offices, 'andare a genio' is used to discuss projects and strategies. It's a way to express professional intuition.
The 'Piacere' Rule
Always remember: the thing you like is the boss of the verb! If you like 'le macchine' (plural), use 'vanno'.
Don't use 'Io'
Never say 'Io vado a genio...'. It sounds like you are saying you are a genius to someone else!
Signification
To be pleasing to someone.
The 'Piacere' Rule
Always remember: the thing you like is the boss of the verb! If you like 'le macchine' (plural), use 'vanno'.
Don't use 'Io'
Never say 'Io vado a genio...'. It sounds like you are saying you are a genius to someone else!
Softening Dislike
Use 'non mi va *molto* a genio' to be extra polite when you don't like something.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'andare'.
Questi nuovi vicini non mi ______ proprio a genio.
The subject is 'vicini' (plural), so the verb must be 'vanno'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct sentence:
Both 'A me va a genio' and 'Questo film mi va a genio' are correct. 'Io vado a genio' is wrong.
Match the response to the situation.
Qualcuno ti propone di mangiare sushi, ma tu odi il pesce crudo. Cosa dici?
'Non mi va a genio' is the perfect way to express that something doesn't suit your taste.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Ti piace il nuovo ufficio?' B: 'Sì, ______ molto a genio.'
The subject 'ufficio' is singular, and the speaker is talking about themselves (mi).
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesQuesti nuovi vicini non mi ______ proprio a genio.
The subject is 'vicini' (plural), so the verb must be 'vanno'.
Choose the correct sentence:
Both 'A me va a genio' and 'Questo film mi va a genio' are correct. 'Io vado a genio' is wrong.
Qualcuno ti propone di mangiare sushi, ma tu odi il pesce crudo. Cosa dici?
'Non mi va a genio' is the perfect way to express that something doesn't suit your taste.
A: 'Ti piace il nuovo ufficio?' B: 'Sì, ______ molto a genio.'
The subject 'ufficio' is singular, and the speaker is talking about themselves (mi).
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's neutral. You can use it with friends, but it's also fine in a professional setting.
Yes! It's very common to use it when you have a good (or bad) feeling about someone's personality.
'Mi piace' is general. 'Mi va a genio' implies that something fits your specific character or 'vibe'.
Yes: 'Non mi andava a genio' (I didn't like it/it didn't suit me).
No, in this idiom it means 'inclination' or 'disposition'.
It is very frequently used in the negative ('non mi va a genio') to express a polite dislike.
Yes, you can follow it with an infinitive verb: 'Mi va a genio di cucinare stasera'.
In this idiom, 'genio' always stays singular. Only the verb 'andare' changes.
Yes, if a smell 'suits' your taste or not. 'Questo profumo non mi va a genio'.
Yes, it is a standard Italian idiom recognized everywhere.
Expressions liées
andare a fagiolo
similarTo be exactly what is needed or to happen at the right time.
andare a sangue
similarTo like someone or something intensely/viscerally.
garbare
synonymTo please or to suit.
non mi scende
contrastI can't stand it (literally: it doesn't go down).
