Significado
To be very tired.
Contexto cultural
Italians often use hyperbole to express feelings. Saying 'sono stanco' might not get much sympathy, but 'sono a pezzi' signals that you really need a break. In Northern Italy (Milan), being 'a pezzi' is often a 'badge of honor' showing how hard you work, while in the South, it's more of a shared human condition. In Rome, you might hear 'Sto a pezzi' with a very closed 'e'. It's a quintessential part of the Roman 'coatto' or casual speech. Mothers often use this phrase to describe the exhaustion of raising children, often followed by 'non ce la faccio più' (I can't take it anymore).
Use it for empathy
If a friend looks tired, asking 'Sei a pezzi?' is a very kind and natural way to show you care.
Don't use with 'molto'
While grammatically okay, 'sono molto a pezzi' sounds a bit redundant. Use 'completamente' for more impact.
Significado
To be very tired.
Use it for empathy
If a friend looks tired, asking 'Sei a pezzi?' is a very kind and natural way to show you care.
Don't use with 'molto'
While grammatically okay, 'sono molto a pezzi' sounds a bit redundant. Use 'completamente' for more impact.
The 'Sentirsi' variation
Use 'Mi sento a pezzi' if you want to emphasize your internal feeling rather than just stating a fact.
The Roman 'Sto a pezzi'
In Rome, this is used for everything from a hangover to a bad day at the office. It's the ultimate city-dweller's catchphrase.
Teste-se
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'essere' and the idiom.
Dopo la maratona, io ________ ________ ________.
The subject is 'io', so we use 'sono'. The idiom is 'a pezzi'.
In which situation is 'essere a pezzi' most appropriate?
Quale situazione è corretta?
The idiom describes extreme exhaustion.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Vuoi venire al cinema? B: No, scusa, oggi in ufficio è stata dura e ________.
'Sono a pezzi' fits the context of being too tired to go out.
Match the meaning to the sentence.
1. 'Il vaso è a pezzi.' 2. 'Marco è a pezzi.'
Objects are literally in pieces; people are figuratively in pieces.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Tiredness Levels
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosDopo la maratona, io ________ ________ ________.
The subject is 'io', so we use 'sono'. The idiom is 'a pezzi'.
Quale situazione è corretta?
The idiom describes extreme exhaustion.
A: Vuoi venire al cinema? B: No, scusa, oggi in ufficio è stata dura e ________.
'Sono a pezzi' fits the context of being too tired to go out.
1. 'Il vaso è a pezzi.' 2. 'Marco è a pezzi.'
Objects are literally in pieces; people are figuratively in pieces.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasTechnically yes, but 'essere in pezzi' or 'essere rotto' is more common for mechanical objects. 'A pezzi' usually implies a person's state.
It's not rude, but it's very informal. It might make you look like you can't handle the work. Use 'Sono molto stanco' instead.
'Stanco morto' is purely about physical sleepiness. 'A pezzi' can also mean you are emotionally sad or physically aching.
No, it is an invariable phrase. It is always 'a pezzi'.
No, that means 'I am a piece' and makes no sense in this context.
Yes, it is a standard Italian idiom recognized from North to South.
Yes! 'La squadra è a pezzi' means the team is demoralized and exhausted.
Use the imperfect: 'Ero a pezzi'.
Yes, it just means 'to feel in pieces' instead of 'to be in pieces'.
Absolutely. It is one of the most common ways to describe heartbreak.
Frases relacionadas
essere stanco morto
synonymTo be dead tired
essere a terra
similarTo be down/exhausted
andare a pezzi
builds onTo fall apart
fare a pezzi
contrastTo tear to pieces
essere in forma
contrastTo be in shape/full of energy
