Significado
Speaking honestly and directly.
Contexto cultural
Tuscans are famous for their 'vernacolo' and their pride in being extremely direct. In Florence, not having 'peli sulla lingua' is almost a social requirement. In the South, while hospitality is key, family members often use this phrase to justify 'brutal honesty' during large Sunday lunches. Talk show hosts like Vittorio Sgarbi are often described with this idiom because of their aggressive and unfiltered way of speaking. On Italian TikTok and Instagram, 'NoFilter' is often translated or contextualized using this idiom to describe 'story' rants.
Use it as a disclaimer
Use 'Non ho peli sulla lingua' before saying something critical to show that you aren't being mean, just honest.
Don't say 'capelli'
Remember: 'peli' is for the body/tongue, 'capelli' is for the head. Mixing them up is a classic learner mistake.
Significado
Speaking honestly and directly.
Use it as a disclaimer
Use 'Non ho peli sulla lingua' before saying something critical to show that you aren't being mean, just honest.
Don't say 'capelli'
Remember: 'peli' is for the body/tongue, 'capelli' is for the head. Mixing them up is a classic learner mistake.
Honesty vs. Rudeness
In Italy, being direct is often more respected than 'fake' politeness. Don't be afraid to use this phrase!
Teste-se
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Mia sorella dice sempre quello che pensa, lei non ___ peli sulla lingua.
The subject is 'mia sorella' (she), so the verb 'avere' must be in the third person singular: 'ha'.
Which of these is the correct idiom?
To speak directly in Italian, you say:
The correct words are 'peli' (body hair) and the preposition 'sulla' (on the).
Match the situation to the correct use of the idiom.
Situation: You are telling your friend that their singing is bad, and you want to warn them you are being honest.
The idiom is used to introduce a blunt, honest truth.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: 'Cosa ne pensi del mio nuovo fidanzato?' B: 'Sinceramente? È un po' noioso. Lo sai che io ___.'
B is giving a blunt opinion, so the idiom fits perfectly.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosMia sorella dice sempre quello che pensa, lei non ___ peli sulla lingua.
The subject is 'mia sorella' (she), so the verb 'avere' must be in the third person singular: 'ha'.
To speak directly in Italian, you say:
The correct words are 'peli' (body hair) and the preposition 'sulla' (on the).
Situation: You are telling your friend that their singing is bad, and you want to warn them you are being honest.
The idiom is used to introduce a blunt, honest truth.
A: 'Cosa ne pensi del mio nuovo fidanzato?' B: 'Sinceramente? È un po' noioso. Lo sai che io ___.'
B is giving a blunt opinion, so the idiom fits perfectly.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
4 perguntasNot necessarily. It describes a trait. However, the things said by someone without 'peli sulla lingua' can be perceived as rude.
It's better to use 'sono una persona molto diretta' (I am a very direct person) to sound more professional.
The opposite is 'essere diplomatico' or 'girarci intorno' (to beat around the bush).
In Italian, 'peli' refers to any hair that isn't on the scalp. Since the tongue is part of the body, it uses 'peli'.
Frases relacionadas
Parlare fuori dai denti
similarTo speak very frankly and suddenly.
Dire pane al pane
synonymTo call a spade a spade.
Girarci intorno
contrastTo beat around the bush.
Senza filtri
modern equivalentWithout filters.
