Meaning
To be naturally good at sensing things.
Cultural Background
In Italy, many successful entrepreneurs are self-made and rely on 'fiuto' rather than formal MBA training. This is celebrated as 'genio italico'. The character of Inspector Montalbano often follows his 'fiuto' (and his stomach) to solve crimes in Sicily. Italians love hunting for bargains. Having 'fiuto' at a 'mercatino dell'usato' is a point of pride. The term 'fiuto giornalistico' is a standard professional compliment in Italian newsrooms.
Use it as a compliment
Calling someone 'uno che ha fiuto' is a high compliment in Italy. It suggests they are smart, street-wise, and successful.
Don't use with 'sentire'
Remember: you HAVE (avere) fiuto, you don't FEEL (sentire) it. This is a common English-speaker mistake.
Meaning
To be naturally good at sensing things.
Use it as a compliment
Calling someone 'uno che ha fiuto' is a high compliment in Italy. It suggests they are smart, street-wise, and successful.
Don't use with 'sentire'
Remember: you HAVE (avere) fiuto, you don't FEEL (sentire) it. This is a common English-speaker mistake.
The 'Nose' Gesture
Sometimes Italians tap the side of their nose with their index finger while saying this to emphasize the 'scent' of the opportunity.
Test Yourself
Completa la frase con la forma corretta di 'avere fiuto per'.
Mio nonno ________ sempre ________ gli investimenti sicuri.
The past tense 'ha avuto' fits best for a life-long habit of a grandfather.
Quale di queste frasi è corretta?
Scegli l'opzione corretta:
The idiom uses 'avere' and the preposition 'per'.
Abbina la situazione alla frase corretta.
Situazione: Un giornalista scopre un segreto politico.
'Fiuto' is the standard metaphor for investigative journalism.
Completa il dialogo.
A: 'Come hai fatto a trovare questo ristorante fantastico in questa stradina?' B: 'Sai che io...'
'Avere fiuto per' is the natural way to describe finding a hidden gem.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Fiuto vs. Occhio
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMio nonno ________ sempre ________ gli investimenti sicuri.
The past tense 'ha avuto' fits best for a life-long habit of a grandfather.
Scegli l'opzione corretta:
The idiom uses 'avere' and the preposition 'per'.
Situazione: Un giornalista scopre un segreto politico.
'Fiuto' is the standard metaphor for investigative journalism.
A: 'Come hai fatto a trovare questo ristorante fantastico in questa stradina?' B: 'Sai che io...'
'Avere fiuto per' is the natural way to describe finding a hidden gem.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot directly. You have 'fiuto' FOR finding a good person, but you don't 'fiutare' a person unless you suspect them of something.
Yes, especially for roles in sales, journalism, or creative direction. It shows a proactive, instinctive personality.
'Fiuto' is stronger and more associated with 'tracking' or 'finding'. 'Naso' is more general and often used for aesthetics or wine.
It's more common to say 'Non ho fiuto' or 'Ho un pessimo fiuto'.
Usually, yes. It implies a talent. However, you can have 'fiuto per i guai' (a nose for trouble), which is negative.
Yes, literally. 'Il cane ha fiuto' means the dog has a good sense of smell.
Absolutely. An attacker has 'fiuto del gol' (a nose for the goal).
Always 'per' when followed by a noun. 'Avere fiuto per gli affari'.
Very common. You will hear it in movies, news, and daily life.
No, 'fiuto' is almost always singular in this idiomatic sense.
Related Phrases
avere naso per
synonymTo have a nose for.
avere occhio per
similarTo have an eye for.
sentire puzza di bruciato
contrastTo smell something burning.
andare a colpo sicuro
builds onTo go for a sure thing.
