When you're trying to describe something as faint, weak, or small in intensity in Italian, the word you're looking for is fievole. This is a versatile adjective that you can use in many contexts. For instance, you could talk about a fievole luce (a faint light) or a fievole speranza (a weak hope). It's a great word to add to your vocabulary if you're aiming for a C1 level.
Pronunciation Guide
- pronouncing the 'ie' as a separate syllable instead of a diphthong
- misplacing the stress
Word Family
Nouns
Adjectives
Test Yourself 24 questions
Which word is closest in meaning to 'fievole'?
'Fievole' means faint or weak, so 'debole' is the closest in meaning.
Choose the best translation for 'una fievole luce'.
'Fievole' means faint, so 'una fievole luce' translates to 'a faint light'.
If something is 'fievole', it is usually:
'Fievole' implies something is of low intensity, like a quiet sound.
A 'fievole' sound is easy to hear.
'Fievole' means faint or weak, so a fievole sound would be difficult to hear.
If you have a 'fievole' voice, you speak loudly.
A 'fievole' voice is a weak or faint voice, the opposite of speaking loudly.
A 'fievole' hope is a strong hope.
'Fievole' means faint or weak, so a fievole hope is a weak hope, not a strong one.
Il suono del suo violino era così ___ che a malapena si sentiva. (The sound of his violin was so ___ that it was barely audible.)
'Fievole' means faint or weak, which fits the context of a barely audible sound.
Aveva solo una ___ speranza di vincere la lotteria. (He had only a ___ hope of winning the lottery.)
'Fievole' can describe a small or weak hope, implying it's not very strong.
La luce della candela era molto ___. (The candle's light was very ___.)
'Fievole' is a good synonym for 'fioca' (dim) when describing a weak light.
Il suo passo era ___ dopo la lunga camminata. (His step was ___ after the long walk.)
'Fievole' can describe a weak or unsteady step.
Ho sentito un ___ rumore nella casa vuota. (I heard a ___ noise in the empty house.)
'Fievole' describes a faint or barely perceptible noise.
Il bambino aveva una voce così ___ che dovevo avvicinarmi per sentirlo. (The child had such a ___ voice that I had to get closer to hear him.)
'Fievole' is used to describe a weak or soft voice.
The correct order forms the sentence 'The voice was faint.'
The correct order forms the sentence 'I heard a faint noise.'
The correct order forms the sentence 'There was a faint light.'
Describe a moment when you heard a very faint sound. Use 'fievole' in your description.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Ho sentito un fievole rumore dalla stanza accanto e mi sono chiesto cosa fosse. (I heard a faint noise from the next room and wondered what it was.)
Imagine someone is speaking very quietly. How would you describe their voice using 'fievole'?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
La sua voce era così fievole che faticavo a sentire quello che diceva. (His voice was so faint that I struggled to hear what he was saying.)
Think about a weak light, like a dying candle. Use 'fievole' to describe it.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
La fievole luce della candela illuminava appena la stanza buia. (The faint light of the candle barely illuminated the dark room.)
What is the passage describing with 'fievole'?
Read this passage:
La radio era accesa, ma il volume era molto basso. Potevo sentire solo un fievole suono di musica. Era difficile distinguere le parole della canzone. Ho dovuto avvicinarmi per ascoltare meglio.
What is the passage describing with 'fievole'?
The passage states 'Potevo sentire solo un fievole suono di musica,' meaning 'I could only hear a faint sound of music.'
The passage states 'Potevo sentire solo un fievole suono di musica,' meaning 'I could only hear a faint sound of music.'
How is 'fievole' used in this context?
Read this passage:
Dopo una lunga giornata di lavoro, mi sentivo debole e stanco. Avevo una fievole energia e volevo solo riposare. Non avevo la forza di fare altro.
How is 'fievole' used in this context?
The phrase 'una fievole energia' means 'a faint/weak energy,' indicating a low level of strength after a long day.
The phrase 'una fievole energia' means 'a faint/weak energy,' indicating a low level of strength after a long day.
What kind of sound is 'fievole fruscio' referring to?
Read this passage:
Nel silenzio della notte, si sentiva un fievole fruscio tra gli alberi. Sembrava il vento che muoveva le foglie, ma era così leggero che a malapena lo si percepiva.
What kind of sound is 'fievole fruscio' referring to?
'Fievole fruscio' translates to 'faint rustle,' and the passage emphasizes its lightness, 'a malapena lo si percepiva' (it was barely perceived).
'Fievole fruscio' translates to 'faint rustle,' and the passage emphasizes its lightness, 'a malapena lo si percepiva' (it was barely perceived).
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Related Content
More general words
abbagliare
C1To dazzle or blind with light or beauty
abbaglio
C1A serious mistake or misconception.
abbreviare
B1To make something shorter.
abnegazione
C1Self-sacrifice or renunciation of one's own interests
accadere
B1To happen or occur.
accadimento
B2An event, occurrence, or happening.
accaduto
B1What happened or the event that occurred.
accanito
C1Fierce, persistent, or relentless in pursuit
accantonare
C1To put aside for future use or discard.
accattivante
C1witty, charming, or attractive.
