Signification
To become ill with a common cold.
Contexte culturel
The 'Colpo d'aria' is a national obsession. Italians believe that a draft of air can cause everything from a cold to a stiff neck (cervicale) or even an upset stomach. In the South, the phrase is often accompanied by a gesture—touching the neck or chest—to emphasize where the 'cold' was taken. A 'raffreddore' is generally accepted as a valid reason for a 1-2 day absence, but it's often discussed with more detail than in the US or UK. The 'maglia di salute' (a wool or cotton undershirt) is the traditional defense against 'prendere un raffreddore'. If you get sick, a Nonna will ask if you were wearing it.
The 'Un' vs 'Il'
Use 'un' when it's just a random cold. Use 'il' if you're talking about the specific cold that's going around the office.
Avoid 'Catturare'
Never say 'catturare un raffreddore'. It's a classic English-speaker mistake!
Signification
To become ill with a common cold.
The 'Un' vs 'Il'
Use 'un' when it's just a random cold. Use 'il' if you're talking about the specific cold that's going around the office.
Avoid 'Catturare'
Never say 'catturare un raffreddore'. It's a classic English-speaker mistake!
The Scarf Rule
If you tell an Italian you caught a cold, be prepared to be told you should have worn a scarf.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'prendere' in the Passato Prossimo.
Ieri sera faceva molto freddo e io ________ un raffreddore.
The subject is 'io', so the auxiliary is 'ho' and the past participle is 'preso'.
Choose the most natural phrase to tell your boss you are sick.
Pronto, scusi, oggi non vengo perché...
'Prendere un raffreddore' is the standard idiomatic expression.
What would the mother say in this situation?
Bambino: 'Vado fuori a giocare in maglietta!' Mamma: 'No! Metti la giacca o ________!'
The context of going out in a T-shirt when it's cold implies the risk of getting sick.
Match the Italian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the various ways to discuss the illness in Italian.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Prendere vs Avere
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIeri sera faceva molto freddo e io ________ un raffreddore.
The subject is 'io', so the auxiliary is 'ho' and the past participle is 'preso'.
Pronto, scusi, oggi non vengo perché...
'Prendere un raffreddore' is the standard idiomatic expression.
Bambino: 'Vado fuori a giocare in maglietta!' Mamma: 'No! Metti la giacca o ________!'
The context of going out in a T-shirt when it's cold implies the risk of getting sick.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the various ways to discuss the illness in Italian.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsNo, you should say 'Ho preso freddo' (without 'un') to mean you got chilled, or 'Ho preso un raffreddore' to mean you got sick.
Not rude, but very informal. Use it with friends, but stick to 'prendere' with your boss or doctor.
A 'raffreddore' is a common cold (sneezing, runny nose). 'Influenza' is the flu (fever, body aches).
Yes, 'il colpo d'aria' is a very real cultural concept in Italy, even if modern science focuses on viruses.
You can say 'Mi sta venendo il raffreddore' (The cold is coming to me).
Expressions liées
avere il raffreddore
similarTo have a cold
beccarsi un raffreddore
informalTo catch a cold (informal)
prendere l'influenza
specialized formTo catch the flu
coprirsi bene
builds onTo cover oneself well
starnutire
similarTo sneeze
