Meaning
To accept something unpleasant reluctantly.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'amaro' is central to Italian social life, specifically through 'amari' (bitter liqueurs) served after meals to aid digestion. This physical ritual of 'digesting' something bitter mirrors the psychological idiom. Journalists at 'La Gazzetta dello Sport' use this phrase almost daily. It is part of the 'sportese' (sports-speak) language that every Italian fan understands. In some regions like Tuscany, the use of 'amaro' can be even more colorful, often linked to 'fiele' (bile) to show a stronger level of spite. In the South, 'masticare amaro' is often associated with the 'onore' (honor) and the difficulty of accepting a public slight or 'sgarbo'.
Use it in Sports
If you want to sound like a native Italian sports fan, use this phrase after your team loses. It's the ultimate 'fan' expression.
Don't use with 'il'
Never say 'masticare l'amaro'. It's a fixed idiom. Keep it simple: masticare amaro.
Meaning
To accept something unpleasant reluctantly.
Use it in Sports
If you want to sound like a native Italian sports fan, use this phrase after your team loses. It's the ultimate 'fan' expression.
Don't use with 'il'
Never say 'masticare l'amaro'. It's a fixed idiom. Keep it simple: masticare amaro.
The 'Rosicare' alternative
If you are with very close friends, 'rosicare' is more common, but 'masticare amaro' makes you sound more educated.
Test Yourself
Completa la frase con la forma corretta del verbo 'masticare'.
Dopo la sconfitta di ieri, noi ancora ________ amaro.
The subject is 'noi', so the present tense is 'mastichiamo' (remember the 'h'!).
Quale di queste situazioni è adatta per l'espressione 'masticare amaro'?
Scegli l'opzione corretta:
This is a classic 'bitter' situation where a great opportunity is lost, leading to resentment.
Completa il dialogo tra due tifosi.
A: 'Non posso crederci, abbiamo perso al 94esimo!' B: 'Eh sì, stasera ci tocca ________.'
'Masticare amaro' is the standard idiom for this context.
Abbina il sentimento alla situazione.
Situazione: Un politico perde le elezioni per pochissimi voti.
Losing by a small margin is the perfect trigger for 'masticare amaro'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDopo la sconfitta di ieri, noi ancora ________ amaro.
The subject is 'noi', so the present tense is 'mastichiamo' (remember the 'h'!).
Scegli l'opzione corretta:
This is a classic 'bitter' situation where a great opportunity is lost, leading to resentment.
A: 'Non posso crederci, abbiamo perso al 94esimo!' B: 'Eh sì, stasera ci tocca ________.'
'Masticare amaro' is the standard idiom for this context.
Situazione: Un politico perde le elezioni per pochissimi voti.
Losing by a small margin is the perfect trigger for 'masticare amaro'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's not rude. It's a standard way to describe a feeling of disappointment. It's much more polite than slang terms like 'rosicare'.
Technically yes, but people will think you are using the idiom. If the food is just bitter, say 'È amaro' or 'Ha un sapore amaro'.
No. In this idiom, 'amaro' is used as an adverbial object and remains masculine singular regardless of who is chewing.
'Ingoiare il rospo' means you accept something bad and stay quiet. 'Masticare amaro' means you are feeling the bitterness of the situation, whether you stay quiet or not.
Yes, very often when a company loses a bid or a contract to a competitor.
No, that's not an idiom. You can't 'chew sweet' to mean you're happy.
It's moderately common. You'll hear it in every sports bar in Italy on a Sunday evening.
Yes, 'Ho masticato amaro' is very common to describe a past disappointment.
Sometimes 'ingoiare' is used, but 'masticare' is the most idiomatic for the 'chewing' sensation.
Not necessarily, but it often implies that the person feels the result was unfair and they aren't happy about it.
Related Phrases
Ingoiare il rospo
similarTo swallow the toad (to accept an insult).
Farsi il sangue amaro
similarTo get bitter blood (to worry or get angry).
Rosicare
synonymTo gnaw (to be jealous/salty).
Sputare fiele
builds onTo spit bile.
