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compromettere

C1 verb 10 min read

compromettere

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips compromettere in 30 Seconds

Explanation compromettere in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'compromettere' yet, as it is a complex word. However, you can think of it as a very strong version of 'rompere' (to break) or 'rovinare' (to ruin). Imagine you have a beautiful cake and you drop it. You have 'compromised' the cake! At this stage, just remember that in Italian, this word usually means something bad happened to something good. It is not about making a deal with a friend. If you want to say 'to break,' stick with 'rompere.' If you want to say 'to hurt,' use 'farsi male.' This word is for much later in your journey, but knowing it means 'to put in danger' is a great start.

For A2 learners, 'compromettere' is a word you might see in a simple news story or a doctor's note. It means 'to put something at risk.' For example, if you don't sleep, you 'compromettere' your health (salute). It is important to know that it looks like the English word 'compromise,' but it is different. In English, a compromise can be a good thing (a middle ground). In Italian, 'compromettere' is almost always bad. If you want to say 'we agreed on a middle ground,' you should say 'abbiamo trovato un accordo.' Use 'compromettere' only when you want to say that something is being damaged or threatened.

At the B1 level, you should start recognizing 'compromettere' in more formal contexts like work emails or newspapers. You might hear: 'Questo errore può compromettere il progetto' (This error can jeopardize the project). Notice that it is a transitive verb, so it takes an object directly. You should also learn its past participle: 'compromesso.' This is irregular, just like 'messo' (from 'mettere'). If you say 'Ho compromesso la mia situazione,' you are saying you've put yourself in a difficult spot. This level is about moving away from simple words like 'rovinare' and using 'compromettere' to sound more professional and precise.

By B2, you should be comfortable using 'compromettere' to describe risks to abstract concepts like reputation, stability, or success. You should also be aware of the reflexive form, 'compromettersi.' This means to get yourself into a situation that might damage your name or safety. For example: 'Non voglio compromettermi in questa faccenda' (I don't want to get involved/compromise myself in this matter). You should also be careful not to use it when you mean 'to make a compromise' (fare un compromesso). At this level, you are expected to handle the nuance between 'pregiudicare' (to prejudice/affect) and 'compromettere' (to jeopardize).

At C1, 'compromettere' should be a regular part of your high-level vocabulary. You understand its legal, medical, and political implications. You know that 'compromettere l'esito' means to jeopardize the outcome and 'compromettere la validità' means to invalidate something. You can use it in complex sentences with the subjunctive, such as 'Temo che le sue parole abbiano compromesso la trattativa' (I fear his words have jeopardized the negotiation). You also understand that the noun 'compromesso' can be positive (an agreement) or negative (a compromise of principles), but the verb 'compromettere' remains predominantly negative.

For C2 speakers, 'compromettere' is used with absolute precision. You can distinguish between 'compromettere' and 'minare' (to undermine) or 'dissestare' (to disrupt financially). You are aware of the word's etymological roots and how it functions in classical literature versus modern legalese. You might use it in a phrase like 'compromettere irrimediabilmente l'equilibrio ecosistemico' (to irremediably jeopardize the ecosystem's balance). You also master the subtle social use of 'compromettersi,' knowing exactly when a person's social standing is at stake in a nuanced cultural conversation. You use the word to convey gravity, causality, and systemic risk.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

compromettere in 30 Seconds

Compromettere means to jeopardize or put something at risk.
It is a false friend; it rarely means 'to reach an agreement.'
It follows the conjugation of 'mettere' with the past participle 'compromesso.'
Used for health, reputation, success, and formal/legal situations.

The Italian verb compromettere is a high-level, versatile word that English speakers often find tricky because it is a partial false friend. While the English word 'compromise' often carries a positive or neutral connotation—referring to a mutual agreement where both sides give up something to reach a middle ground—the Italian compromettere leans heavily toward a negative outcome. At its core, it means to jeopardize, endanger, or prejudice a situation, a reputation, or a physical state. When you use this word, you are usually describing a process where something valuable is being weakened or put at serious risk due to an action or circumstance.

The Negative Nuance: In Italian, if you 'compromise' your health, you aren't finding a balance; you are ruining it. If a scandal 'compromises' a politician, it means their career is in danger of being destroyed. This distinction is vital for C1 learners who want to sound precise and avoid the 'Anglicism trap' of using Italian words with English logic.

Uno scandalo di tale portata potrebbe compromettere l'esito delle prossime elezioni.

A scandal of such magnitude could jeopardize the outcome of the next elections.

The verb is frequently used in formal, journalistic, and medical contexts. In a professional setting, one might speak of actions that compromettono the integrity of a project. In medicine, a virus might compromettere the respiratory system. It implies a causal link where an external factor or a specific choice leads to a degradation of quality or safety. It is not just about 'changing' something; it is about 'damaging' its future viability.

The Reflexive Form: When used reflexively, compromettersi means to involve oneself in something risky or to damage one's own reputation by associating with the wrong people or making a bad decision. It suggests 'getting one's hands dirty' or 'putting oneself in a compromising position.'

Non voleva compromettersi accettando quel denaro di dubbia provenienza.

Historically, the word comes from the Latin 'compromittere,' which meant 'to promise mutually.' In legal Latin, it referred to the act of submitting a dispute to an arbitrator. Over centuries, the meaning shifted from the 'mutual promise' to the 'risk' inherent in that promise, eventually landing on the modern Italian sense of 'putting at risk.' This linguistic evolution is common in Romance languages, where legal terms often migrate into broader social contexts involving risk and reputation.

Frequency and Tone: This is not a word you would typically use while chatting about what to eat for dinner, unless the dinner choice is so bad it threatens your health. It carries a certain weight and gravity. It is the language of lawyers, doctors, critics, and analysts. Using it correctly signals to native speakers that you have moved beyond basic communication into the realm of nuanced, abstract thought.

Using compromettere effectively requires understanding its relationship with various nouns. It functions as a 'destructive' verb, much like rovinare (to ruin) or danneggiare (to damage), but with a more formal and systemic nuance. It is often used to describe the long-term consequences of a single action.

Abstract Situations: When talking about success, peace, or stability, compromettere suggests that the foundations of these things are being shaken. It is the perfect word for describing how a mistake might affect a whole project.

Un solo errore di calcolo potrebbe compromettere l'intera missione spaziale.

A single calculation error could jeopardize the entire space mission.

In the realm of personal relationships and social standing, the word is used to discuss reputation (la reputazione) or image (l'immagine). This is particularly common in business and politics. If a company releases a faulty product, it doesn't just lose money; it compromette its brand image.

Health and Biology: In medical contexts, compromettere describes the impairment of an organ or system. You will hear it in news reports about health crises or in doctor's explanations about the risks of a certain lifestyle choice or disease.

L'inquinamento atmosferico finisce per compromettere le funzioni polmonari dei residenti.

Grammatically, compromettere follows the conjugation pattern of mettere. This means its past participle is compromesso. This is crucial for forming compound tenses like the passato prossimo. For example: 'Hai compromesso tutto!' (You've jeopardized everything!).

Legal and Diplomatic Use: In international relations, one might say that a provocative action compromette the peace process. Here, the word conveys a sense of fragility and the potential for a total breakdown of negotiations.

Le nuove sanzioni rischiano di compromettere i fragili accordi diplomatici.

Finally, consider the use of the word in sports. A player might compromettere the game by getting a red card early on. It suggests that while the game isn't over, the chance of winning has been severely diminished. This 'diminishing of chances' is the heart of the verb's meaning in daily life.

You will encounter compromettere in several distinct environments, each utilizing its specific nuance of risk and damage. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize the gravity of the situation being discussed.

The News and Journalism: This is perhaps the most common place to find the word. Headlines frequently use it to describe how political scandals, economic shifts, or environmental disasters affect the future. Journalists love it because it sounds more serious and analytical than 'rovinare' (to ruin).

Il maltempo ha compromesso gran parte del raccolto di quest'anno.

The bad weather has jeopardized much of this year's harvest.

In business news, you'll hear about how a rise in interest rates might compromettere the growth of small businesses. It conveys a sense of structural threat rather than just a minor inconvenience.

Crime Dramas and Legal Thrillers: In Italian television series like 'Gomorra' or 'Suburra,' characters often talk about not 'compromising' themselves (*non compromettersi*). Here, it means avoiding evidence that links them to a crime or avoiding situations where they lose their leverage or power.

Stai attento a non comprometterti parlando con quel testimone.

You will also hear it in academic settings. A professor might warn that a lack of rigor in a thesis could compromettere the validity of the entire research. In this context, it refers to the intellectual integrity of the work.

Medical Consultations: When discussing health risks, doctors use this verb to explain how a condition might affect other bodily functions. For example, high blood pressure can compromettere kidney function over time.

Se non smetti di fumare, potresti compromettere seriamente la tua salute cardiovascolare.

In summary, if you hear this word, pay attention—it usually indicates that something significant is on the line. Whether it's a political career, a scientific discovery, or a person's health, the use of compromettere signals a high-stakes situation where damage is imminent or already occurring.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with compromettere is treating it as a direct translation of the English word 'compromise' in its positive sense of 'reaching an agreement.'

Mistake #1: The 'Agreement' Confusion: In English, you might say, 'We compromised on the price.' If you say in Italian, 'Abbiamo compromesso sul prezzo,' an Italian will understand that you somehow ruined the price or made it problematic, not that you reached a deal. To express 'reaching an agreement,' you must use 'fare un compromesso' or 'venire a un compromesso.'

Errato: Abbiamo compromesso per finire prima.
Corretto: Abbiamo fatto un compromesso per finire prima.

Another common error is related to the past participle. Because compromettere is a derivative of mettere, its past participle is compromesso, not 'compromettuto.' This is a common pitfall for learners who try to apply regular '-ere' endings to irregular verbs.

Mistake #2: Overusing it for Minor Things: While you could say you 'compromised' your dinner by oversalting it, compromettere is usually too 'heavy' for such trivial matters. In those cases, 'rovinare' or 'guastare' is more natural. Save compromettere for things that have serious, lasting consequences.

Non compromettere il tuo futuro per una sciocchezza.

Don't jeopardize your future for a trifle.

A third mistake involves the reflexive form. Learners often forget that compromettersi implies a loss of integrity or safety. If you mean 'to commit yourself' to a task or a person, the correct verb is impegnarsi. Saying 'mi sono compromesso con lei' doesn't mean you are committed to her in a romantic sense; it means you've done something with her that might ruin your reputation or put you in a bind.

Finally, watch out for the preposition usage. Compromettere is transitive and usually doesn't need a preposition before the object. However, if you are using the reflexive form to say you are compromised by something, you might use 'da' or 'per'. But in 90% of cases, it's simply [Verb] + [Noun].

To truly master compromettere, you should know its synonyms and how they differ in flavor and intensity. Italian is rich with verbs that describe damage, and choosing the right one marks you as an advanced speaker.

Pregiudicare: This is perhaps the closest synonym. It literally means 'to prejudice' or 'to affect negatively.' It is very common in legal and formal contexts. While compromettere often implies a physical or reputational risk, pregiudicare often focuses on the outcome or the validity of something.
Mettere a repentaglio: This is an idiomatic expression that means 'to put at risk.' It is more dramatic than compromettere and is often used for life-and-death situations or very high stakes. 'Mettere a repentaglio la vita' (To put one's life at risk).

Le sue azioni hanno messo a repentaglio la sicurezza nazionale.

If the damage is more physical or direct, you might use danneggiare (to damage) or rovinare (to ruin). Danneggiare is neutral and can apply to objects or people. Rovinare is more emotional and total; if you rovini something, it's often beyond repair.

Minare: This means 'to undermine' (like placing a mine under a building). It is used for trust, authority, or foundations. 'Minare la fiducia' (To undermine trust) is a very common pairing. It is more subtle and gradual than compromettere.

I continui ritardi hanno finito per minare la sua credibilità.

In summary, choose compromettere when you want to highlight that a specific action has created a serious risk for the future of something important. Use pregiudicare for formal/legal consequences, minare for gradual weakening of trust or authority, and mettere a repentaglio for high-stakes, dramatic danger.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient law, a 'compromissum' was a mutual promise to end a lawsuit. Over time, the focus shifted from the 'promise' to the 'risk' of losing the case, leading to the modern meaning of 'jeopardize.'

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kom.pro.ˈmet.te.re/

US /kom.pro.ˈmet.te.re/

The primary stress is on the 'met' syllable (com-pro-MET-te-re).

Rhymes With

mettere smettere promettere trasmettere permettere sottomettere dimettere ammettere

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like the English 'compromise' (com-PRO-mise).
Failing to double the 't' sound.
Misplacing the stress on the 'pro' syllable.
Using an English 'r' instead of the Italian flipped 'r'.
Confusing the past participle 'compromesso' with 'compromettuto'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Common in newspapers but requires understanding context.

Writing 5/5

Tricky to use without falling into the English false friend trap.

Speaking 4/5

Requires correct irregular past participle 'compromesso'.

Listening 3/5

Easily recognizable due to similarity to English, but meaning must be carefully noted.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

mettere pericolo rischiare rovinare promettere

Learn Next

pregiudicare tutelare minare accordo esito

Advanced

dissestare inficiare subordinare derogare transigere

Grammar to Know

Irregular Past Participle

Compromettere -> Compromesso (like Mettere -> Messo).

Transitive Usage

Compromettere + Direct Object (No 'a' or 'di' needed).

Reflexive Pronouns

Io MI comprometto, Tu TI comprometti, etc.

Subjunctive with Expressions of Fear

Temo che questo comprometta tutto.

Negative Imperative

Non compromettere! (Non + Infinitive for 'tu').

Examples by Level

Non voglio compromettere la mia salute.

I don't want to jeopardize my health.

Compromettere is used here as an infinitive after 'voglio'.

Il fumo può compromettere i polmoni.

Smoking can damage the lungs.

Direct object is 'i polmoni'.

Un errore può compromettere tutto.

One mistake can ruin everything.

'Tutto' acts as the direct object.

Lui ha compromesso il suo lavoro.

He jeopardized his job.

Passato prossimo: 'ha compromesso'.

Non compromettere il tuo futuro.

Don't jeopardize your future.

Imperative negative: 'non' + infinitive.

Questo freddo può compromettere i fiori.

This cold can ruin the flowers.

Subject is 'questo freddo'.

Hai compromesso la sorpresa!

You ruined the surprise!

Informal use of the passato prossimo.

Dobbiamo evitare di compromettere il piano.

We must avoid jeopardizing the plan.

'Evitare di' is followed by the infinitive.

Mangiare male può compromettere la tua energia.

Eating poorly can jeopardize your energy.

Gerund phrase as subject.

Il rumore ha compromesso il mio sonno.

The noise ruined my sleep.

Passato prossimo with 'avere'.

Non volevo compromettere la nostra amicizia.

I didn't want to jeopardize our friendship.

Imperfetto of 'volere' + infinitive.

L'incidente ha compromesso la macchina.

The accident damaged the car.

Here it means physical damage.

Puoi compromettere la tua vista con troppa luce.

You can damage your eyesight with too much light.

Preposition 'con' shows the cause.

La pioggia ha compromesso la festa all'aperto.

The rain ruined the outdoor party.

Subject is 'la pioggia'.

Non devi compromettere la sicurezza degli altri.

You must not jeopardize the safety of others.

Modal 'devi' + negative.

L'alcol compromette i riflessi durante la guida.

Alcohol impairs reflexes while driving.

Present tense, general truth.

Un comportamento simile potrebbe compromettere la tua carriera.

Such behavior could jeopardize your career.

Conditional 'potrebbe' expresses possibility.

Le piogge torrenziali hanno compromesso il raccolto di grano.

The torrential rains have jeopardized the wheat harvest.

Specific vocabulary: 'raccolto'.

Si è compromesso accettando quel regalo costoso.

He compromised himself by accepting that expensive gift.

Reflexive 'si è compromesso'.

Non volevamo compromettere l'esito delle trattative.

We didn't want to jeopardize the outcome of the negotiations.

Abstract noun 'esito'.

La mancanza di fondi ha compromesso la ricerca scientifica.

The lack of funds has jeopardized the scientific research.

Subject is a lack/absence.

Lo scandalo ha compromesso l'immagine dell'azienda.

The scandal has damaged the company's image.

Common collocation: 'immagine dell'azienda'.

Il fumo passivo può compromettere la salute dei bambini.

Second-hand smoke can jeopardize children's health.

Adjective 'passivo' modifying 'fumo'.

Se continui così, comprometterai i tuoi risultati scolastici.

If you continue like this, you will jeopardize your school results.

Future tense: 'comprometterai'.

La sua testimonianza potrebbe compromettere seriamente l'imputato.

His testimony could seriously jeopardize the defendant.

Adverb 'seriamente' adds intensity.

L'uso di sostanze dopanti ha compromesso la sua vittoria.

The use of doping substances has jeopardized his victory.

Refers to retroactive loss of status.

Non bisogna compromettere la stabilità economica del paese.

We must not jeopardize the economic stability of the country.

Impersonal 'bisogna' + negative.

Il virus ha compromesso il sistema immunitario del paziente.

The virus has compromised the patient's immune system.

Medical context.

Le divergenze politiche rischiano di compromettere l'alleanza.

Political differences risk jeopardizing the alliance.

Verb 'rischiano di' + infinitive.

Hai compromesso la tua credibilità con quelle bugie.

You've jeopardized your credibility with those lies.

Abstract noun 'credibilità'.

L'eccessiva burocrazia compromette lo sviluppo delle imprese.

Excessive bureaucracy jeopardizes the development of businesses.

Social/Economic critique.

Spero che questa decisione non comprometta il nostro futuro.

I hope this decision doesn't jeopardize our future.

Subjunctive mood: 'comprometta'.

Tale negligenza rischia di compromettere irrimediabilmente l'indagine.

Such negligence risks irremediably jeopardizing the investigation.

Adverb 'irrimediabilmente' is typical of C1.

L'introduzione di specie aliene ha compromesso l'equilibrio della fauna locale.

The introduction of alien species has jeopardized the balance of local fauna.

Environmental/Scientific context.

Non possiamo permettere che interessi privati compromettano il bene comune.

We cannot allow private interests to jeopardize the common good.

Subjunctive after 'permettere che'.

La crisi diplomatica ha compromesso anni di proficua cooperazione.

The diplomatic crisis has jeopardized years of fruitful cooperation.

Adjective 'proficua' (fruitful).

Un'esposizione prolungata al sole può compromettere l'integrità dei materiali.

Prolonged exposure to the sun can jeopardize the integrity of the materials.

Technical context.

Si è compromesso politicamente sostenendo quella riforma impopolare.

He compromised himself politically by supporting that unpopular reform.

Reflexive with adverbial modification.

La fuga di notizie ha compromesso la segretezza dell'operazione.

The news leak has jeopardized the secrecy of the operation.

Noun 'fuga di notizie' (leak).

Il trauma ha compromesso le sue capacità cognitive a lungo termine.

The trauma has compromised his cognitive abilities in the long term.

Medical/Psychological context.

L'attuale congiuntura economica potrebbe compromettere la tenuta del sistema sociale.

The current economic situation could jeopardize the stability of the social system.

High-level terms: 'congiuntura', 'tenuta'.

Non si deve compromettere l'imparzialità del giudizio per meri fini opportunistici.

One must not jeopardize the impartiality of judgment for mere opportunistic ends.

Formal register: 'meri fini'.

La fuoriuscita di sostanze tossiche ha compromesso l'intero ecosistema lacustre.

The spill of toxic substances has jeopardized the entire lake ecosystem.

Specific term: 'ecosistema lacustre'.

Si è compromesso irrimediabilmente agli occhi della pubblica opinione.

He has irremediably compromised himself in the eyes of public opinion.

Reflexive with 'agli occhi di'.

La mancanza di trasparenza rischia di compromettere la legittimità delle istituzioni.

The lack of transparency risks jeopardizing the legitimacy of the institutions.

Political philosophy context.

Qualsiasi esitazione ora potrebbe compromettere il successo della manovra finanziaria.

Any hesitation now could jeopardize the success of the financial maneuver.

Conditional 'potrebbe' used for warning.

La scoperta di prove contraffatte ha compromesso la validità del processo.

The discovery of forged evidence has jeopardized the validity of the trial.

Legal context: 'validità del processo'.

Tali affermazioni rischiano di compromettere i delicati equilibri geopolitici dell'area.

Such statements risk jeopardizing the delicate geopolitical balances of the area.

Plural abstract nouns.

Common Collocations

compromettere la salute

compromettere la reputazione

compromettere l'esito

compromettere il successo

compromettere seriamente

compromettere irrimediabilmente

compromettere la stabilità

compromettere la validità

compromettere la carriera

compromettere l'immagine

Common Phrases

senza compromettersi

— Doing something without getting involved in a risky or damaging way.

Ha aiutato l'amico senza compromettersi troppo.

compromettere il futuro

— To act in a way that ruins long-term prospects.

Non compromettere il futuro per un piacere momentaneo.

compromettere la pace

— To act in a way that threatens a peaceful situation.

Le provocazioni possono compromettere la pace.

compromettere i risultati

— To do something that negates previous hard work.

Una distrazione può compromettere i risultati di mesi.

compromettere la sicurezza

— To create a dangerous situation.

Lasciare la porta aperta compromette la sicurezza.

compromettere l'integrità

— To damage the wholeness or moral standing of something.

La corruzione compromette l'integrità dello Stato.

compromettere le trattative

— To cause negotiations to fail.

Quella dichiarazione ha compromesso le trattative.

compromettere la funzione

— To impair how something works (often biological).

La malattia compromette la funzione renale.

compromettere il rapporto

— To damage a relationship between people.

Le bugie finiscono per compromettere il rapporto.

compromettere la vittoria

— To lose a certain win through a mistake.

Un fallo inutile ha compromesso la vittoria.

Often Confused With

compromettere vs fare un compromesso

Means to reach a mutual agreement (positive), whereas 'compromettere' means to jeopardize (negative).

compromettere vs impegnarsi

Means to commit oneself to a task. 'Compromettersi' means to involve oneself in something risky.

compromettere vs promettere

Simply means 'to promise.' 'Compromettere' has moved far beyond this basic meaning.

Idioms & Expressions

"compromettere la faccia"

— To lose face or reputation in public.

Non voleva compromettere la faccia davanti ai colleghi.

informal

"compromettersi fino al collo"

— To get deeply involved in a dangerous or scandalous situation.

Si è compromesso fino al collo con la malavita.

informal

"mettere in un vicolo cieco"

— Related: to put someone in a position where they are compromised and have no escape.

Le sue azioni lo hanno messo in un vicolo cieco.

neutral

"giocarsi la reputazione"

— To gamble one's reputation (often by compromising it).

Ti stai giocando la reputazione con questo comportamento.

neutral

"sporcarsi le mani"

— To get involved in something unethical (reflexive compromise).

Per vincere, ha dovuto sporcarsi le mani.

informal

"bruciarsi i ponti"

— To compromise future opportunities by acting rashly.

Dando le dimissioni così, si è bruciato i ponti.

neutral

"fare un passo falso"

— To make a mistake that compromises one's position.

Basta un passo falso per compromettere tutto.

neutral

"cadere in trappola"

— To be compromised by a setup.

È caduto in trappola e si è compromesso.

neutral

"mettere le mani nel fango"

— To compromise one's integrity.

Non voleva mettere le mani nel fango.

literary

"perdere la bussola"

— To lose direction, leading to compromised results.

Ha perso la bussola e ha compromesso il progetto.

informal

Easily Confused

compromettere vs Pregiudicare

Similar meaning of 'to affect negatively.'

Pregiudicare is more formal and often refers to legal rights or specific outcomes. Compromettere is broader and can refer to physical damage.

Il fumo compromette i polmoni. La tua assenza pregiudica l'esame.

compromettere vs Rovinare

Both mean to damage something.

Rovinare is more casual and emotional. Compromettere sounds more analytical and systemic.

Hai rovinato il vestito. Hai compromesso la tua carriera.

compromettere vs Minare

Both involve weakening something.

Minare is gradual and often invisible (like trust). Compromettere can be the result of a single catastrophic action.

I dubbi minano la fiducia. Uno scandalo compromette il governo.

compromettere vs Danneggiare

Both mean to cause harm.

Danneggiare is very general. Compromettere implies that the future or the integrity of the thing is at stake.

La grandine ha danneggiato l'auto. La grandine ha compromesso il raccolto.

compromettere vs Mettere

Compromettere is a derivative of mettere.

Mettere is 'to put.' Compromettere is specifically 'to put in danger.'

Metti il libro sul tavolo. Non compromettere la tua vita.

Sentence Patterns

Non voglio compromettere [Noun].

Non voglio compromettere il mio lavoro.

[Subject] rischia di compromettere [Noun].

La pioggia rischia di compromettere la festa.

[Subject] ha compromesso irrimediabilmente [Noun].

L'incendio ha compromesso irrimediabilmente l'edificio.

Spero che non si sia compromesso [Reflexive].

Spero che non si sia compromesso con quei criminali.

Tale azione potrebbe compromettere la tenuta di [Abstract Noun].

Tale azione potrebbe compromettere la tenuta del governo.

Senza compromettere [Noun], possiamo...

Senza compromettere la qualità, possiamo ridurre i costi.

È necessario evitare di compromettere [Noun].

È necessario evitare di compromettere le indagini.

Hai compromesso [Noun]!

Hai compromesso la sorpresa!

Word Family

Nouns

compromesso (compromise/agreement)

compromissione (the act of jeopardizing)

Verbs

mettere (to put)

promettere (to promise)

smettere (to stop)

Adjectives

compromesso (compromised/jeopardized)

compromissorio (relating to a compromise)

promessa

messa

pregiudizio

rischio

pericolo

How to Use It

frequency

High in written and formal spoken Italian; Medium in casual conversation.

Common Mistakes

Abbiamo compromesso sul prezzo. → Abbiamo fatto un compromesso sul prezzo.
'Compromettere' means to ruin, not to reach an agreement.
Lui ha compromettuto la sua salute. → Lui ha compromesso la sua salute.
The past participle is irregular: compromesso.
Mi sono compromesso a finire il lavoro. → Mi sono impegnato a finire il lavoro.
'Compromettersi' means to be in a risky spot; 'impegnarsi' means to commit.
Questo compromette di molto. → Questo compromette molto la situazione.
'Compromettere' is transitive and usually needs an object.
Una situazione molto compromettuta. → Una situazione molto compromessa.
Adjective form follows the past participle.

Tips

False Friend Alert

Do not use 'compromettere' for a positive agreement. Use 'fare un compromesso' instead. This is the #1 error for English speakers.

Past Participle

Remember: Compromettere -> Compromesso. It's just like 'mettere'.

Synonym Choice

Use 'minare' for trust, but 'compromettere' for a career or health.

Medical Context

'Compromettere' is the go-to word for doctors describing impaired functions.

Social Standing

In Italy, 'compromettere la reputazione' is a serious accusation. Use it with gravity.

Formal Writing

Using 'compromettere' in a formal report shows a high level of Italian proficiency.

Double Consonants

Make sure to emphasize the double 'tt' in 'compromettere' for clarity.

Reflexive Meaning

'Compromettersi' often implies doing something slightly shady or risky.

Business Risk

Use it to describe how a delay might 'compromettere' a deadline.

Ecological Use

Commonly used to describe how pollution 'compromette' ecosystems.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Compromise' but add a 'Danger' sign. In Italian, if you compromise something, you 'mettere' (put) it in a 'com' (complex) 'pro' (problematic) situation.

Visual Association

Imagine a bridge with a crack in it. That crack is 'compromettendo' the safety of everyone crossing.

Word Web

Rischio Pericolo Danno Reputazione Salute Esito Successo Stabilità

Challenge

Try to use 'compromettere' in a sentence about your favorite hobby being threatened by a lack of time.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'compromittere', composed of 'cum' (with/together) and 'promittere' (to promise).

Original meaning: Originally it meant to promise mutually to abide by the decision of an arbiter.

Romance (Italic)

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but it is a serious word that shouldn't be used lightly.

English speakers must be careful. If you say 'We need to compromise,' use 'Dobbiamo fare un compromesso.' If you say 'Dobbiamo compromettere,' you are saying 'We need to ruin things.'

Used frequently in Italian political talk shows like 'Porta a Porta'. Common in the subtitles of 'Inspector Montalbano' when discussing suspects. Appears in 'Il Gattopardo' (The Leopard) regarding the changing social classes.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Health

compromettere la salute
compromettere i polmoni
compromettere il recupero
compromettere la vista

Business

compromettere l'affare
compromettere il budget
compromettere la crescita
compromettere i rapporti

Politics

compromettere l'alleanza
compromettere la stabilità
compromettere le elezioni
compromettere la pace

Education

compromettere l'esame
compromettere la borsa di studio
compromettere l'anno scolastico
compromettere la validità

Legal

compromettere le prove
compromettere il processo
compromettere la difesa
compromettere i diritti

Conversation Starters

"Pensi che i social media possano compromettere la nostra privacy?"

"Quali abitudini possono compromettere seriamente la salute a lungo termine?"

"Hai mai fatto un errore che ha compromesso un tuo progetto importante?"

"Come può uno scandalo compromettere l'immagine di una grande azienda?"

"Credi che la tecnologia stia compromettendo le nostre capacità di concentrazione?"

Journal Prompts

Descrivi una situazione in cui hai rischiato di compromettere un'amicizia importante.

Rifletti su come le decisioni politiche attuali possano compromettere il futuro delle nuove generazioni.

Scrivi di un momento in cui un piccolo errore ha compromesso un grande risultato.

Analizza l'importanza di non compromettersi moralmente per ottenere il successo.

Come possiamo proteggere l'ambiente senza compromettere lo sviluppo economico?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, in modern Italian, the verb 'compromettere' specifically means to jeopardize or damage. To say 'reach a compromise,' you must use the noun form in a phrase like 'fare un compromesso' or 'giungere a un compromesso.' This is a very common mistake for English speakers.

The noun 'compromesso' can be neutral (an agreement) or negative (a compromise of values). However, the verb 'compromettere' and the adjective 'compromesso' (as in 'situazione compromessa') are almost exclusively negative, indicating danger or damage.

It is an irregular verb. The passato prossimo is 'ho compromesso,' 'hai compromesso,' etc. It follows the same pattern as 'mettere' (messo). Never say 'compromettuto,' as it is grammatically incorrect.

They are very similar. 'Pregiudicare' is slightly more formal and is often used in legal contexts (to prejudice a right). 'Compromettere' is more common in medical contexts (to compromise an organ) or social contexts (to compromise a reputation).

Yes, you can. For example, 'L'umidità ha compromesso la struttura della casa' (The humidity has compromised the house's structure). It implies that the damage is serious enough to threaten the stability of the object.

It is the reflexive form. It means to involve yourself in something that might damage your reputation or put you in a dangerous legal or social position. 'Non voglio compromettermi' means 'I don't want to get mixed up in this.'

Yes, it is very common in newspapers, television news, and formal discussions. It is less common in very casual, everyday slang, where people might prefer 'rovinare' or 'guastare.'

Absolutely. You might hear: 'L'espulsione ha compromesso la partita' (The red card jeopardized the match). It means the team's chances of winning have been severely damaged.

The noun is 'compromissione,' though it is less common than the verb. It refers to the state of being compromised or the act of compromising something.

In Italian, you say 'sistema immunitario compromesso.' This is a very standard medical term.