Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'impegno' to politely say you have plans or to describe a task that requires serious time and effort.
- Means: Having a prior engagement or a demanding responsibility.
- Used in: Declining invitations, work scheduling, or discussing life duties.
- Don't confuse: 'Impegno' is a commitment; 'appuntamento' is a specific timed meeting.
Explication à ton niveau :
Signification
Having something scheduled.
Contexte culturel
Using 'ho un impegno' is a way to save face. It allows you to say no without explaining that you'd rather stay home and watch Netflix, which might hurt the host's feelings. In Italian offices, 'impegni' are often used to justify why a task isn't done yet. It sounds more professional than saying you forgot. The 'scrittore impegnato' (committed writer) is a specific figure in Italian culture, referring to those who use their art for social change, like Pier Paolo Pasolini. The phrase 'senza impegno' is vital for shopping. It allows customers to try products or ask for quotes without feeling pressured to buy.
The 'Vague' Power
If you don't want to go somewhere, just say 'Ho un impegno.' In Italy, it's considered rude to ask 'What commitment?' so you are safe!
Avere vs Essere
Remember: YOU 'have' (avere) an impegno, but the TASK 'is' (essere) an impegno.
The 'Vague' Power
If you don't want to go somewhere, just say 'Ho un impegno.' In Italy, it's considered rude to ask 'What commitment?' so you are safe!
Avere vs Essere
Remember: YOU 'have' (avere) an impegno, but the TASK 'is' (essere) an impegno.
Senza Impegno
When someone says 'Vieni a trovarmi, senza impegno,' they are being very friendly and reducing the social pressure on you.
Plural Usage
Use the plural 'impegni' to sound extra busy and important.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'avere' or 'essere'.
Un figlio ____ un grande impegno per tutta la vita.
We use 'essere' because we are describing the nature of the subject (a child).
Which sentence is the most polite way to decline an invitation?
Vuoi venire alla mia festa?
'Ho un impegno' is the standard polite social excuse.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are signing a 30-year mortgage for a house.
A mortgage is a long-term (lungo termine) commitment.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Possiamo spostare la riunione alle 15? B: No, mi dispiace, a quell'ora ____.
'Ho già un impegno' means 'I already have a commitment.'
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Impegno vs Appuntamento
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesUn figlio ____ un grande impegno per tutta la vita.
We use 'essere' because we are describing the nature of the subject (a child).
Vuoi venire alla mia festa?
'Ho un impegno' is the standard polite social excuse.
Situation: You are signing a 30-year mortgage for a house.
A mortgage is a long-term (lungo termine) commitment.
A: Possiamo spostare la riunione alle 15? B: No, mi dispiace, a quell'ora ____.
'Ho già un impegno' means 'I already have a commitment.'
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsTechnically yes, but it sounds a bit cold. It's better to say 'Ho un appuntamento' if you want to sound excited.
'Dovere' is a duty (like paying taxes). 'Impegno' is a commitment you usually chose or scheduled.
It is neutral-formal. It's perfectly fine with friends but also professional enough for a boss.
You can say 'Ho da fare' or 'Sono preso/a'.
Yes! 'Mettici più impegno' means 'Put more effort into it'.
It can mean 'busy' or 'in a relationship' (not single).
Press your tongue against the roof of your mouth, like saying 'onion'.
Yes, it's a poetic way to say you need some 'me time'.
It is 'un impegno' because it starts with a vowel.
A very formal way to say 'something unexpected came up'.
Expressions liées
prendere un impegno
builds onTo make a commitment
mantenere un impegno
builds onTo keep a commitment
senza impegno
specialized formWithout obligation
impegnativo
similarDemanding/Challenging
disdire un impegno
contrastTo cancel a commitment
Où l'utiliser
Declining a coffee with a colleague
Collega: Prendiamo un caffè?
Tu: Mi piacerebbe, ma ho un impegno tra dieci minuti.
Talking about a new pet
Amico: Com'è il nuovo cucciolo?
Tu: Bellissimo, ma è un bel impegno! Devo portarlo fuori spesso.
Job Interview
Intervistatore: È disponibile per straordinari?
Candidato: Sì, se non ho impegni familiari urgenti, sono molto flessibile.
Dating App Chat
Match: Ci vediamo stasera?
Tu: Stasera ho un impegno con i miei amici, facciamo domani?
Doctor's Office
Segretaria: Le va bene martedì alle 10?
Paziente: No, a quell'ora ho già un impegno. C'è posto nel pomeriggio?
Buying a car
Venditore: Vuole firmare il contratto oggi?
Cliente: È un impegno economico importante, ci devo pensare.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of 'impegno' as being 'in-pegged'—you are pegged into a specific slot in your calendar and can't move!
Association visuelle
Imagine a large, heavy anchor labeled 'IMPEGNO' attached to your wrist. It's not necessarily bad, but it keeps you in one place (your responsibility) and prevents you from floating away to other plans.
Rhyme
Se hai un impegno, non lasciare il segno (If you have a commitment, don't leave a [bad] mark/fail).
Story
Marco wanted to go to the beach, but he looked at his calendar and saw a big red circle. 'Ho un impegno,' he sighed. He had promised to help his grandmother with her garden. Because he respected his 'impegno,' his grandmother gave him the best lasagna in Italy.
In Other Languages
In Spanish, 'compromiso' is almost identical. In English, we often just say 'I have plans,' but 'impegno' feels slightly more official, like 'I have an engagement.'
Word Web
Défi
Try to decline three imaginary invitations today using 'Scusa, ho un impegno' instead of just saying 'No.'
Review this phrase 1 day, 3 days, and 7 days after learning to distinguish it from 'appuntamento'.
Prononciation
The 'gn' sound is like the 'ny' in 'canyon'.
Stress on the first syllable.
Spectre de formalité
Purtroppo non posso intervenire a causa di un impegno pregresso. (Declining an event)
Scusa, non posso venire perché ho un impegno. (Declining an event)
Stasera non riesco, c'ho un impegno. (Declining an event)
Niente da fare, sono incasinato con un impegno. (Declining an event)
Derived from the Latin 'in' (in) + 'pignus' (pledge/pawn). It originally referred to the act of putting something up as collateral.
Le savais-tu ?
The word 'pawn' in English comes from the same root as 'impegno'!
Notes culturelles
Using 'ho un impegno' is a way to save face. It allows you to say no without explaining that you'd rather stay home and watch Netflix, which might hurt the host's feelings.
“Scusa, stasera ho un impegno di famiglia.”
In Italian offices, 'impegni' are often used to justify why a task isn't done yet. It sounds more professional than saying you forgot.
“Ho avuto molti impegni urgenti questa mattina.”
The 'scrittore impegnato' (committed writer) is a specific figure in Italian culture, referring to those who use their art for social change, like Pier Paolo Pasolini.
“È un film d'impegno civile.”
The phrase 'senza impegno' is vital for shopping. It allows customers to try products or ask for quotes without feeling pressured to buy.
“Chiedi un preventivo senza impegno.”
Amorces de conversation
Qual è l'impegno più grande della tua vita in questo momento?
Hai molti impegni per questo fine settimana?
Pensi che avere un animale domestico sia un grosso impegno?
Ti è mai capitato di dover disdire un impegno all'ultimo momento?
Erreurs courantes
Ho un appuntamento con il mio lavoro.
Ho un impegno di lavoro.
L1 Interference
Sono un impegno stasera.
Ho un impegno stasera.
L1 Interference
Ho un impegno per il dottore.
Ho un appuntamento dal dottore.
L1 Interference
Faccio un impegno.
Prendo un impegno.
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Tener un compromiso
In Spanish, 'compromiso' can also mean 'engagement' (to be married), whereas in Italian, that is 'fidanzamento'.
Avoir un empêchement
French focuses on the 'obstacle,' while Italian focuses on the 'pledge' of time.
Eine Verpflichtung haben
Italian 'impegno' is used in casual social settings more naturally than the German equivalent.
予定がある (Yotei ga aru)
Japanese is more neutral; 'impegno' carries a slight weight of 'duty' that 'yotei' lacks.
لدى ارتباط (Ladaiya irtibat)
Arabic often uses specific terms for family or work rather than a generic 'impegno'.
有事 (Yǒu shì)
Italian 'impegno' sounds more like a valid 'reason,' while 'yǒu shì' is just a statement of fact.
약속이 있다 (Yaksogi itda)
In Korean, you have a 'promise' even for a casual coffee; in Italian, 'impegno' sounds slightly more serious.
Ter um compromisso
In Brazil, it's often shortened or replaced by 'tenho uma coisa' in very informal speech.
Spotted in the Real World
“Stasera non posso, ho un impegno.”
A character uses this as a vague excuse to hide a secret meeting.
“L'impegno che ci metti...”
Lyrics about the effort put into a relationship.
“Il governo conferma l'impegno per le riforme.”
Headline about political promises.
Facile à confondre
Both involve scheduling.
Use 'appuntamento' for a specific meeting with a person (doctor, date). Use 'impegno' for the general state of being busy.
Sounds like 'essere un impegno'.
'Essere impegnato' describes the person (I am busy/engaged). 'Essere un impegno' describes the task (It is a commitment).
Questions fréquentes (10)
Technically yes, but it sounds a bit cold. It's better to say 'Ho un appuntamento' if you want to sound excited.
usage contexts'Dovere' is a duty (like paying taxes). 'Impegno' is a commitment you usually chose or scheduled.
comparisonsIt is neutral-formal. It's perfectly fine with friends but also professional enough for a boss.
basic understandingYou can say 'Ho da fare' or 'Sono preso/a'.
practical tipsYes! 'Mettici più impegno' means 'Put more effort into it'.
usage contextsIt can mean 'busy' or 'in a relationship' (not single).
grammar mechanicsPress your tongue against the roof of your mouth, like saying 'onion'.
practical tipsYes, it's a poetic way to say you need some 'me time'.
cultural usageIt is 'un impegno' because it starts with a vowel.
grammar mechanicsA very formal way to say 'something unexpected came up'.
usage contexts
