Significado
Secretly or privately.
Contexto cultural
The phrase is inextricably linked to the Papal Conclave, where cardinals are locked 'a porte chiuse' to choose the next Pope. This is perhaps the most famous use of the concept in history. In Italy, football is a public religion. Playing 'a porte chiuse' is seen as a 'death sentence' for the atmosphere of a match and is used as a serious disciplinary measure by the FIGC. Italian law allows for 'a porte chiuse' trials specifically to protect minors or victims of sexual violence, reflecting a cultural priority on protecting the dignity of the vulnerable. In Italian business culture, while initial meetings are often social (over coffee), the real 'decisive' talk happens 'a porte chiuse' in a formal office setting.
Use it for emphasis
Use this phrase when you want to make a private meeting sound more official or serious.
Plural is key
Always use 'porte' (plural) even if there is only one door in the room.
Significado
Secretly or privately.
Use it for emphasis
Use this phrase when you want to make a private meeting sound more official or serious.
Plural is key
Always use 'porte' (plural) even if there is only one door in the room.
Sports context
If you see this in a sports headline, it almost always means 'no fans allowed'.
Teste-se
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Il tribunale ha deciso che il processo sarà celebrato ___ ___ ___.
The standard idiomatic form is 'a porte chiuse'.
Which situation best describes 'a porte chiuse'?
Quale situazione è 'a porte chiuse'?
'A porte chiuse' implies privacy and exclusion of the public.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: Perché non possiamo entrare allo stadio? B: Perché la partita si gioca ___.
If you cannot enter the stadium, the match is 'a porte chiuse'.
Match the Italian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
The idiom 'a porte chiuse' translates to 'behind closed doors'.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
When to use 'A Porte Chiuse'
Sports
- • Matches without fans
- • Secret training
- • Sanctions
Politics
- • Cabinet meetings
- • Diplomatic talks
- • Crisis management
Law
- • Private trials
- • Jury deliberations
- • Minor protection
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosIl tribunale ha deciso che il processo sarà celebrato ___ ___ ___.
The standard idiomatic form is 'a porte chiuse'.
Quale situazione è 'a porte chiuse'?
'A porte chiuse' implies privacy and exclusion of the public.
A: Perché non possiamo entrare allo stadio? B: Perché la partita si gioca ___.
If you cannot enter the stadium, the match is 'a porte chiuse'.
Combine cada item a esquerda com seu par a direita:
The idiom 'a porte chiuse' translates to 'behind closed doors'.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasYes, if it's a formal or exclusive event, but for a normal dinner with a friend, 'in privato' is more common.
The idiom is almost always plural: 'a porte chiuse'.
It is neutral to formal. It's used in news, law, and business, but also in serious personal conversations.
It's a fossilized plural, likely referring to the multiple entrances of large halls or palaces where these meetings historically occurred.
Mostly, but 'a porte chiuse' specifically implies a meeting or event that is restricted, whereas 'segretamente' is more general.
No, that sounds like the meeting has ended. Use 'riunione a porte chiuse'.
Yes, there is a famous 1961 film by Dino Risi titled 'A porte chiuse'.
Not really. For a secret relationship, use 'una relazione segreta'. 'A porte chiuse' is for specific events or talks.
The opposite is 'a porte aperte' (open doors/public).
Yes, the Conclave is still strictly 'a porte chiuse'.
Frases relacionadas
a porte aperte
contrastOpen to the public.
in privato
synonymIn private.
dietro le quinte
similarBehind the scenes.
acqua in bocca
builds onKeep it a secret (literally: water in mouth).
