Signification
To teach someone by punishing them.
Contexte culturel
In sports newspapers like 'La Gazzetta dello Sport', you will often see headlines like 'Lezione di calcio' when a team wins through superior tactics. It's a way of saying the winner was the 'master' and the loser was the 'student'. The traditional Italian school system is quite rigorous and formal. The idea of 'giving a lesson' carries the weight of this authority. It's not just advice; it's an authoritative correction. Italians value 'saper vivere' (knowing how to live/social grace). Someone who lacks this might be 'given a lesson' by social exclusion or a sharp public rebuke to teach them the 'rules' of the group. During elections, politicians often say they want to 'dare una lezione' to the ruling class. It frames the vote as a punitive measure by the 'wise' people against the 'ignorant' or 'corrupt' leaders.
Add an Adjective
To sound more native, add 'bella' (nice/big) or 'sonora' (resounding). 'Gli ho dato una bella lezione' is much more common than the plain version.
Don't use with 'per'
Never say 'dare una lezione per lui'. Always use the indirect object: 'dargli una lezione' or 'dare una lezione a lui'.
Signification
To teach someone by punishing them.
Add an Adjective
To sound more native, add 'bella' (nice/big) or 'sonora' (resounding). 'Gli ho dato una bella lezione' is much more common than the plain version.
Don't use with 'per'
Never say 'dare una lezione per lui'. Always use the indirect object: 'dargli una lezione' or 'dare una lezione a lui'.
The 'Impartire' trick
If you are writing an essay or a formal article, use 'impartire' instead of 'dare'. It sounds much more sophisticated and authoritative.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct verb to complete the phrase for 'punishing someone'.
Quel bullo ha finalmente ricevuto ciò che meritava. Qualcuno gli ha ___ una lezione.
In Italian, you 'give' (dare) a lesson to punish someone. 'Fare' is for literal teaching.
Fill in the missing preposition and pronoun.
Marco è stato molto arrogante. Dobbiamo dare una lezione ___ lui.
The recipient of the lesson is an indirect object, introduced by 'a'.
Match the Italian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These variations change the direction of the 'teaching' or the context.
Which situation best fits the phrase 'dare una lezione'?
In which of these scenarios would you use 'dare una lezione'?
The phrase implies a corrective or punitive victory, fitting the sports rivalry perfectly.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesQuel bullo ha finalmente ricevuto ciò che meritava. Qualcuno gli ha ___ una lezione.
In Italian, you 'give' (dare) a lesson to punish someone. 'Fare' is for literal teaching.
Marco è stato molto arrogante. Dobbiamo dare una lezione ___ lui.
The recipient of the lesson is an indirect object, introduced by 'a'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These variations change the direction of the 'teaching' or the context.
In which of these scenarios would you use 'dare una lezione'?
The phrase implies a corrective or punitive victory, fitting the sports rivalry perfectly.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it can be a euphemism for a physical fight, but it's more often used for moral or competitive defeat today.
It can be aggressive. If you say it to someone's face, it's a threat. If you say it about someone else, it's an observation of justice.
'Insegnamento' is positive and educational. 'Lezione' in this idiom is punitive and corrective.
Yes! 'La situazione mi ha dato una lezione' is very common when you learn from experience.
Use 'Ho imparato la lezione'.
Yes, when a company outperforms a competitor or when a market crash punishes risky behavior.
Yes, parents use it to mean 'disciplining' a child, usually through a talk or a small punishment.
Extremely. It's a classic line for a hero or a villain right before a confrontation.
A 'sonora' (loud/ringing) lesson is a very public and undeniable defeat or punishment.
Yes, it means 'a life lesson', but be careful—it can sound a bit condescending.
Expressions liées
Imparare la lezione
builds onTo learn from a mistake after being punished.
Mettere a posto qualcuno
similarTo put someone in their place.
Fare la predica
contrastTo lecture someone (verbally scold).
Dare una ripassata
specialized formTo beat someone easily (sports/fighting).
