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B1 noun 9 min de leitura

incidente

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas incidente em 30 segundos

Explicação incidente in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know 'incidente' in its most basic form: a car accident. You will mostly use it to explain why you are late or to describe something you saw on the street. It is a masculine noun ('un incidente'). You should learn the phrase 'C'è stato un incidente' (There was an accident). At this stage, don't worry about the diplomatic or philosophical meanings. Just remember it starts with a vowel, so we use 'l'incidente' when we want to say 'the accident.' You might hear it in very simple stories or news headlines. It's a key word for basic survival Italian because it helps you communicate in emergencies. Focus on the connection between 'incidente' and 'macchina' (car) or 'strada' (road). Keep your sentences short and direct. For example: 'Ho visto un incidente.' (I saw an accident). This is enough to get your point across. You don't need to describe the details of the accident yet, just that it happened.

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At the A2 level, you begin to use 'incidente' with more verbs and in slightly more complex situations. You should know that we say 'fare un incidente' (to have an accident) when we are talking about ourselves. You can also start using adjectives like 'piccolo' (small) or 'brutto' (bad/ugly) to describe the event. You might use it to talk about your day: 'Ieri ho fatto un piccolo incidente con la macchina.' You also learn that 'incidente' can happen at work ('incidente sul lavoro'). This is important for basic workplace communication. You should be able to understand simple traffic reports on the radio that mention 'incidente'. Your grammar should focus on the correct use of articles (un, l', gli) and the past tense (passato prossimo) to say that an accident happened. You are starting to see that 'incidente' is the general word for something going wrong, but you still mostly use it for physical events. You should also be aware that 'incidente' is masculine, so any adjectives must match: 'un incidente improvviso'.

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At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'incidente' in a variety of contexts, including figurative ones. You should know the expression 'incidente di percorso,' which means a minor setback in a plan. You can describe the 'dinamica' (dynamics) of an accident in a simple way, using words like 'incrocio' (intersection) or 'colpa' (fault). You are now comfortable using the word in professional settings, such as explaining a delay in a project or a misunderstanding in a meeting ('un piccolo incidente di comunicazione'). You should also be able to distinguish between 'incidente' and 'sinistro' (the insurance term), even if you don't use 'sinistro' yourself. You understand that 'incidente' is not used for 'by accident' (which is 'per caso'). Your ability to use prepositions with 'incidente' improves; for example, 'coinvolto in un incidente' (involved in an accident). You can also use it to discuss social issues, like the frequency of 'incidenti stradali' in Italy. This level requires a more nuanced understanding of the word's impact on a conversation.

At the B2 level, your use of 'incidente' becomes much more precise and varied. You can use it in formal reports or to discuss complex social topics. You understand and can use the term 'incidente diplomatico' to describe a social or political faux pas. You can talk about the 'cause' and 'conseguenze' of an accident using advanced vocabulary. You are familiar with the legal and bureaucratic language surrounding accidents, such as 'riportare ferite' or 'constatazione amichevole' (the blue form used for car accidents in Italy). You can use 'incidente' in the plural 'gli incidenti' to talk about statistics or trends. You also start to use the word in more abstract ways, perhaps in a debate about safety regulations or urban planning. You can contrast 'incidente' with other words like 'sciagura' (disaster) or 'fatalità' (fatality/fate). Your sentences are longer and more complex, often using the word in subordinate clauses: 'Sebbene l'incidente sia stato lieve, la macchina è molto danneggiata.'

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At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the semantic field of 'incidente.' You can use it in academic or highly professional contexts. You might use it in a philosophical sense to discuss 'accident' versus 'essence' (accidente vs essenza), although 'incidente' is less common than 'accidente' in this specific niche. You are sensitive to the register of the word and can choose between 'incidente,' 'sinistro,' 'infortunio,' or 'avvenimento' based on the specific context and desired tone. You can write detailed reports about an 'incidente' using technical terminology. You understand the historical or etymological roots of the word and how it has evolved in the Italian language. You can use it in complex idiomatic expressions and understand its use in literature or high-level journalism. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from that of a native speaker, including the subtle emotional cues it carries. You can discuss the 'incidentalità' (accident rate) of a certain region or activity, showing a high level of lexical sophistication.

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At the C2 level, you master the word 'incidente' in all its possible applications, including the most obscure and formal. You can use it to analyze legal precedents, diplomatic history, or complex systems theory (where 'incidenti' are analyzed as system failures). You have a complete grasp of the word's collocations and can use it to create specific rhetorical effects in writing or speech. You understand the subtle differences between 'incidente' and its synonyms in every possible dialect or regional variation of Italian. You can discuss the word's role in the 'cronaca nera' (crime news) of Italian journalism and how the reporting of 'incidenti' reflects social values. Your command of the word allows you to use it with irony, metaphor, or extreme clinical precision. You can navigate any situation, from a courtroom to a high-level political negotiation, using 'incidente' and its related terms with absolute confidence and accuracy. The word is no longer just a vocabulary item but a tool for nuanced expression and sophisticated analysis of the world around you.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

incidente em 30 segundos

Incidente is the standard Italian word for 'accident' or 'incident,' commonly used for traffic crashes.
It is a masculine noun taking the articles 'un' or 'l'' in the singular and 'gli' in the plural.
Beyond car crashes, it can describe diplomatic blunders, workplace mishaps, or minor setbacks in a plan.
Avoid using it for 'by accident' (unintentionally); use 'per caso' or 'per sbaglio' instead.

The Italian word incidente is a versatile masculine noun that primarily translates to 'accident' or 'incident' in English. While it is frequently associated with traffic mishaps, its semantic range extends far beyond the asphalt. At its core, an incidente represents any event that occurs unexpectedly, often disrupting the normal flow of activities or causing damage, whether physical, social, or diplomatic. Understanding the nuance of this word requires looking at how Italians categorize unforeseen events. In a domestic setting, a small spill might be an incidente domestico, whereas a major geopolitical blunder could be termed an incidente diplomatico. The word is derived from the Latin incidere, meaning 'to fall upon' or 'to happen,' which perfectly captures the sense of something dropping into one's life without warning.

Incidente Stradale: The most common usage, referring to car crashes or traffic collisions. It is the standard term used by police and insurance companies.
Incidente di Percorso: A figurative expression meaning a 'hiccup' or a minor setback in a plan or career. It suggests that the path was generally good, but a small event caused a temporary delay.
Incidente Diplomatico: Used when a person says or does something that causes tension between groups or nations, often due to a lack of tact.

Scusa il ritardo, ma c'è stato un grosso incidente in autostrada e il traffico è bloccato.

In Italian culture, discussing an incidente often involves a high degree of descriptive detail. If you are reporting one to the authorities, you would use formal language, but in a café, the tone shifts to narrative drama. It is important to distinguish incidente from accidente. While they look similar, accidente in Italian often refers to a sudden medical episode (like a stroke) or is used in curses (though this is archaic or regional). For a car crash, never use accidente; always stick with incidente. Furthermore, the word can be used technically in philosophy or law to describe a non-essential property of something, though this is rare in everyday B1-level conversation.

The word is masculine, so it takes the articles un (indefinite) and l' (definite, because it starts with a vowel). The plural is gli incidenti. In professional contexts, especially insurance, you might hear the word sinistro, which is a more technical synonym for an accident that results in a claim. However, for a learner, incidente is the safest and most widely understood term for any mishap ranging from a bumped fender to a spilled glass of wine at a gala.

Using incidente correctly involves pairing it with the right verbs and adjectives to specify the gravity of the situation. In Italian, the most common verb used with incidente is fare (to do/make), which translates to 'to have' an accident. For example, 'Ho fatto un incidente' means 'I had an accident.' If you want to say an accident 'happened' or 'occurred,' you would use verbs like succedere, accadere, or verificarsi.

Causare un incidente: To cause an accident. Used when assigning blame or discussing the source of the problem.
Coinvolto in un incidente: Involved in an accident. This is a common passive structure in news reports.
Assistere a un incidente: To witness an accident. Essential for providing police statements.

L'inchiesta dovrà stabilire chi ha causato l'incidente mortale all'incrocio.

Adjectives play a crucial role in qualifying the noun. A 'minor' accident is an incidente lieve or di lieve entità. A 'serious' one is an incidente grave. If there are fatalities, it is an incidente mortale. In the workplace, you will see signs regarding sicurezza sul lavoro to prevent an incidente sul lavoro. Notice how the preposition su (on) becomes sul (on the) when combined with lavoro.

Non è stato un vero errore, solo un piccolo incidente di percorso che risolveremo subito.

When talking about the consequences of an incidente, you might use the verb riportare (to sustain/suffer) in a formal context: 'Ha riportato solo lievi ferite nell'incidente' (He sustained only minor injuries in the accident). In more casual conversation, you might simply say 'È uscito illeso dall'incidente' (He came out of the accident unharmed). The flexibility of the word allows it to be the subject of a sentence ('L'incidente è avvenuto alle otto') or the object ('Ho visto un incidente'). Mastering these patterns ensures you can communicate effectively in both emergency situations and everyday storytelling.

The word incidente is ubiquitous in Italian daily life, appearing in various media and social contexts. One of the most common places you will hear it is on the radio or navigation apps during traffic updates. Phrases like 'Traffico rallentato per incidente tra Firenze Sud e Incisa' are standard fare for commuters on the Autostrada del Sole. In these reports, the word is often used without much embellishment, focusing on the location and the impact on traffic flow.

Telegiornale (TV News): News anchors use incidente to report on everything from train derailments to minor fender benders involving celebrities.
Ufficio Assicurativo (Insurance Office): When filing a claim, the agent will ask for the 'dinamica dell'incidente' (the dynamics/sequence of the accident).
Sul Posto di Lavoro (Workplace): Safety briefings frequently mention the prevention of incidenti sul lavoro to comply with Italian safety regulations (D.Lgs 81/08).

Attenzione: incidente segnalato a un chilometro. Procedere con prudenza.

Beyond the literal sense, you will hear incidente in social settings to describe awkward moments. If someone accidentally reveals a secret at a dinner party, a guest might later describe it as an 'incidente sgradevole' (unpleasant incident). In political talk shows (very popular in Italy), commentators often discuss 'incidenti parlamentari,' which are unexpected votes or procedural errors that disrupt the government's agenda. This metaphorical use highlights the Italian tendency to view life as a series of events that can be managed or analyzed through the lens of 'incidents.'

Finally, in the world of sports, an incidente refers to a crash on the track (F1 or MotoGP) or a collision between players. The emotional weight of the word changes depending on the context—from the clinical tone of a police report to the empathetic tone of a friend asking, 'Stai bene dopo l'incidente?' (Are you okay after the accident?). Hearing the word in these varied contexts will help you grasp its full emotional and practical spectrum.

For English speakers, the most frequent mistake when using incidente is confusing it with the English word 'accident' in all its meanings. While they overlap significantly, they are not perfect synonyms. In English, we often say 'I did it by accident' to mean 'unintentionally.' In Italian, saying 'L'ho fatto per incidente' is grammatically incorrect and sounds very strange. Instead, you should use per sbaglio or per caso.

The 'Accidente' False Friend: Many learners assume accidente is the direct translation of 'accident.' However, in modern Italian, accidente is often a medical term or a mild profanity ('Che ti venga un accidente!' - May you have a stroke!). Always use incidente for car crashes.
Gender and Articles: Learners often forget that incidente is masculine. They might mistakenly use una incidente or la incidente. Remember: un incidente and l'incidente.
Preposition Usage: When saying 'an accident with the car,' don't say con la macchina. It is more natural to say un incidente d'auto or un incidente stradale.

Sbagliato: Ho rotto il vaso per incidente.
Corretto: Ho rotto il vaso per sbaglio.

Another common error is the misuse of the verb avere (to have). While English says 'to have an accident,' Italian prefers fare un incidente (to do/make an accident) or essere coinvolto in un incidente (to be involved in an accident). If you say 'Ho avuto un incidente,' it's not entirely wrong, but 'Ho fatto un incidente' is much more common when you were the driver involved.

Lastly, be careful with pluralization. Some learners try to make it feminine in the plural (le incidenti), but it remains masculine: gli incidenti. Pay attention to the 'i' at the end. By avoiding these pitfalls, your Italian will sound much more natural and precise, especially in high-stakes situations where clarity is paramount.

Italian offers several synonyms for incidente, each with a specific nuance or register. Choosing the right one can make your speech more precise. While incidente is the 'all-purpose' word, knowing these alternatives will help you understand more complex texts and news reports.

Sinistro: Strictly used in insurance and legal contexts. If you are reading your car insurance policy, you will see 'apertura sinistro' (opening a claim).
Scontro: Means 'collision' or 'clash.' It implies physical impact between two objects or people. It can also be used for a 'clash' of opinions.
Infortunio: Specifically refers to an accident that results in personal injury, especially in sports or at work (infortunio sul lavoro).
Contrattempo: A minor setback or mishap. If your train is delayed, it's a contrattempo, not an incidente (unless the train crashed).

Non è stato un vero incidente, solo un piccolo contrattempo che ha ritardato la nostra partenza.

When comparing incidente and evento, remember that evento is neutral (it can be good or bad), while incidente is almost always negative or disruptive. Similarly, episodio is often used in medical or narrative contexts to describe a single occurrence, but it lacks the 'accidental' weight of incidente. In a literary or formal context, you might encounter accadimento, which is a very formal way to say 'happening' or 'event.'

Understanding these distinctions allows you to navigate Italian bureaucracy and social nuances. For example, if you tell a boss you had an infortunio, they will ask about your health; if you say you had an incidente, they will ask about your car. If you say you had a contrattempo, they will just expect you to be a few minutes late. This richness of vocabulary is what elevates your Italian from functional to expressive.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The root 'cidere' is the same as in 'cadere' (to fall). So an 'incidente' is literally something that 'falls upon' you unexpectedly.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /in.tʃi.'dɛn.te/

US /in.tʃi.'dɛn.te/

The stress is on the penultimate syllable: in-tchi-DEN-te.

Rima com

prudente gente mente serpente corrente urgente presente assente

Erros comuns

Pronouncing 'ci' as 'ki' (like 'incidente' with a K sound). It must be a soft 'ch' sound.
English speakers often stress the first syllable, but it must be the third.
Making the final 'e' silent. In Italian, every vowel is pronounced.
Confusing the 'n' sound with a nasal French 'n'. Keep it sharp against the teeth.
Over-emphasizing the 't' like an aspirated English 't'. Keep it light.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

Easy to recognize because it looks like 'incident' or 'accident'.

Escrita 3/5

Need to remember it's masculine and the 'l'' article.

Expressão oral 3/5

Requires correct 'ch' sound and stress on 'den'.

Audição 2/5

Very common in news and traffic reports.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

macchina strada succedere male paura

Aprenda a seguir

sinistro assicurazione testimone ferita soccorso

Avançado

incidentalità derubricare constatazione perizia procedura

Gramática essencial

Nouns starting with a vowel take 'l'' as a definite article.

L'incidente (not lo incidente).

Masculine nouns starting with a vowel take 'un' (no apostrophe) as an indefinite article.

Un incidente (not un'incidente).

The plural of masculine nouns ending in 'e' is 'i'.

L'incidente -> Gli incidenti.

Adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun.

Un incidente grave / Gli incidenti gravi.

Prepositions combine with articles.

Nell'incidente (in + l').

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Exemplos por nível

C'è stato un incidente in centro.

There was an accident downtown.

Uses 'C'è stato' (There was) with the masculine noun 'incidente'.

L'incidente è brutto.

The accident is bad.

The definite article 'L'' is used because 'incidente' starts with a vowel.

Ho visto un incidente stradale.

I saw a traffic accident.

'Stradale' is the adjective modifying 'incidente'.

Dov'è l'incidente?

Where is the accident?

Simple question structure.

Nessuno si è fatto male nell'incidente.

Nobody got hurt in the accident.

'Nell'' is the contraction of 'in' + 'l''.

La polizia è all'incidente.

The police are at the accident.

'All'' is the contraction of 'a' + 'l''.

Un piccolo incidente ha bloccato la strada.

A small accident blocked the road.

'Piccolo' precedes the noun for emphasis.

Mi dispiace per l'incidente.

I'm sorry about the accident.

Standard expression of sympathy.

Ieri ho fatto un incidente con la bici.

Yesterday I had an accident with my bike.

Uses 'fare un incidente' to mean 'to have an accident'.

L'incidente è successo alle otto di mattina.

The accident happened at eight in the morning.

Uses 'succedere' (to happen) in the past tense.

Dobbiamo chiamare l'assicurazione per l'incidente.

We need to call the insurance for the accident.

Common practical context for A2 learners.

L'incidente non è colpa mia.

The accident is not my fault.

'Colpa mia' is a common possessive structure.

Ci sono molti incidenti su questa strada.

There are many accidents on this road.

Plural form 'incidenti' with the quantifier 'molti'.

Mio fratello ha avuto un incidente sul lavoro.

My brother had an accident at work.

'Sul lavoro' is the standard phrase for 'at work'.

L'incidente ha causato molto traffico.

The accident caused a lot of traffic.

Uses 'causare' to show the result.

Dopo l'incidente, la macchina è rotta.

After the accident, the car is broken.

'Dopo' is a temporal preposition.

È stato solo un incidente di percorso, non mollare.

It was just a minor setback, don't give up.

Figurative use of 'incidente di percorso'.

L'incidente diplomatico è stato evitato per un soffio.

The diplomatic incident was narrowly avoided.

'Per un soffio' means 'by a whisker/narrowly'.

Bisogna analizzare la dinamica dell'incidente con calma.

The dynamics of the accident need to be analyzed calmly.

'Dinamica' refers to how the event unfolded.

Non volevo offenderti, è stato un incidente di comunicazione.

I didn't mean to offend you, it was a communication mishap.

Uses 'incidente' to describe a non-physical event.

Il testimone ha descritto l'incidente nei minimi dettagli.

The witness described the accident in great detail.

'Nei minimi dettagli' is a common idiomatic phrase.

L'azienda ha una politica rigorosa contro gli incidenti sul lavoro.

The company has a strict policy against workplace accidents.

Formal context regarding safety.

Spero che l'incidente non rovini le tue vacanze.

I hope the accident doesn't ruin your holidays.

Subjunctive 'rovini' after 'spero che'.

L'incidente è avvenuto a causa della pioggia battente.

The accident happened because of the heavy rain.

'A causa di' expresses causality.

L'incidente ha messo in luce gravi carenze nella sicurezza.

The accident highlighted serious safety deficiencies.

'Mettere in luce' is a high-level idiom meaning 'to highlight'.

Nonostante l'incidente, il progetto è proseguito come previsto.

Despite the incident, the project continued as planned.

'Nonostante' requires a noun or a clause.

L'incidente ferroviario ha scosso l'intera opinione pubblica.

The train accident shook the entire public opinion.

'Scuotere' (to shake) is used figuratively here.

Si è trattato di un incidente del tutto fortuito.

It was a completely fortuitous accident.

'Si è trattato di' is a formal way to say 'It was'.

Le statistiche mostrano un calo degli incidenti stradali quest'anno.

Statistics show a decrease in traffic accidents this year.

Formal usage in a reporting context.

L'incidente è stato causato da una distrazione fatale.

The accident was caused by a fatal distraction.

Passive voice 'è stato causato'.

Hanno raggiunto un accordo dopo l'incidente diplomatico.

They reached an agreement after the diplomatic incident.

Context of international relations.

L'incidente è avvenuto in circostanze ancora da chiarire.

The accident occurred in circumstances yet to be clarified.

'Ancora da chiarire' is a standard journalistic phrase.

L'incidentalità urbana è un tema centrale nel dibattito politico.

Urban accident rates are a central theme in the political debate.

Uses the noun 'incidentalità' derived from 'incidente'.

L'incidente è solo la punta dell'iceberg di un malessere profondo.

The incident is only the tip of the iceberg of a deep malaise.

Metaphorical use in a social analysis.

Si teme che l'incidente possa compromettere le trattative di pace.

It is feared that the incident might compromise peace negotiations.

Subjunctive 'possa' after a verb of fearing.

L'incidente ha innescato una reazione a catena imprevedibile.

The incident triggered an unpredictable chain reaction.

'Innescare' means to trigger or spark.

L'analisi forense dell'incidente ha rivelato nuovi particolari.

The forensic analysis of the accident revealed new details.

Technical/scientific register.

È un incidente che non ammette giustificazioni di sorta.

It is an incident that admits no justifications of any kind.

'Di sorta' means 'of any kind'.

La narrazione dell'incidente è stata distorta dai media.

The narrative of the incident was distorted by the media.

Critique of media representation.

L'incidente si inserisce in un contesto di scarsa manutenzione.

The accident fits into a context of poor maintenance.

'Si inserisce in' means 'fits into' or 'is part of'.

L'incidente, nella sua tragica fatalità, ha ridefinito i protocolli.

The accident, in its tragic fatality, redefined the protocols.

Highly formal and nuanced sentence structure.

L'ontologia dell'incidente risiede nella sua imprevedibilità intrinseca.

The ontology of the incident lies in its intrinsic unpredictability.

Philosophical register using 'ontologia'.

Ogni incidente è un monito sulla fragilità della condizione umana.

Every accident is a reminder of the fragility of the human condition.

'Monito' is a literary term for 'warning' or 'reminder'.

L'incidente ha scompaginato i delicati equilibri geopolitici dell'area.

The incident disrupted the area's delicate geopolitical balances.

'Scompaginare' is a sophisticated verb for 'to disrupt' or 'to throw into disarray'.

La fenomenologia dell'incidente richiede un approccio multidisciplinare.

The phenomenology of the incident requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Academic register.

L'incidente è stato derubricato a mera fatalità dalle autorità.

The incident was downgraded to mere fatality by the authorities.

'Derubricare' is a specific legal term for reclassifying a crime or event.

Non si può prescindere dall'incidente per valutare l'operato del governo.

One cannot disregard the incident when evaluating the government's actions.

'Prescindere da' means 'to disregard' or 'to set aside'.

L'incidente funge da catalizzatore per riforme attese da tempo.

The incident serves as a catalyst for long-awaited reforms.

'Fungere da' means 'to serve as'.

Colocações comuns

Incidente stradale

Incidente sul lavoro

Incidente diplomatico

Incidente di percorso

Causare un incidente

Assistere a un incidente

Incidente mortale

Dinamica dell'incidente

Incidente domestico

Essere coinvolto in un incidente

Frases Comuns

Fare un incidente

— To have or cause a car accident. This is the most common way to express involvement in a crash.

Ho fatto un incidente ieri, ma sto bene.

C'è stato un incidente

— There was an accident. Used to report an event without specifying who was involved.

C'è stato un incidente in autostrada.

Incidente di caccia

— A hunting accident. A specific term often seen in news reports.

È morto in un tragico incidente di caccia.

Denunciare un incidente

— To report an accident, usually to the police or insurance.

Devi denunciare l'incidente entro tre giorni.

Incidente nucleare

— A nuclear accident. Used in scientific and political contexts.

Il mondo ricorda ancora l'incidente nucleare di Chernobyl.

Evitare un incidente

— To avoid or prevent an accident.

Ha frenato bruscamente per evitare l'incidente.

Incidente aereo

— A plane crash or aviation incident.

Le scatole nere spiegheranno l'incidente aereo.

Testimone dell'incidente

— Witness to the accident.

Cerchiamo testimoni dell'incidente avvenuto ieri.

Incidente di frontiera

— A border incident/clash between two territories.

L'incidente di frontiera ha inasprito i rapporti.

Rimanere vittima di un incidente

— To fall victim to or be injured/killed in an accident.

È rimasto vittima di un incidente stradale.

Frequentemente confundido com

incidente vs Accidente

In Italian, 'accidente' often means a medical stroke or a curse, whereas 'incidente' is a car accident.

incidente vs Sbaglio

English speakers say 'by accident' for mistakes, but Italians say 'per sbaglio'. 'Incidente' is the event, 'sbaglio' is the error.

incidente vs Caso

Use 'per caso' for 'by chance'. 'Incidente' implies a negative or disruptive event.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Incidente di percorso"

— A minor, temporary setback in a process or career that doesn't stop overall progress.

Questo fallimento è solo un incidente di percorso.

Neutral/Professional

"Creare un incidente diplomatico"

— To behave in a way that causes tension or offense between people or groups.

La tua battuta ha creato un vero incidente diplomatico.

Informal/Neutral

"Senza incidenti"

— Without any problems or interruptions; smoothly.

Il viaggio è proseguito senza incidenti.

Neutral

"Per un puro incidente"

— By sheer chance or coincidence (though 'per caso' is more common).

Ci siamo incontrati per un puro incidente del destino.

Literary

"Andare incontro a un incidente"

— To head towards trouble or a mistake.

Se continui così, vai incontro a un brutto incidente.

Neutral

"Incidente di gioventù"

— A mistake made when young that should be forgiven or forgotten.

Quell'arresto è stato solo un incidente di gioventù.

Neutral

"Mettere in conto un incidente"

— To expect or prepare for the possibility of something going wrong.

In un viaggio così lungo, devi mettere in conto qualche incidente.

Neutral

"Chiuso per incidente"

— Closed due to an accident (often seen on road signs).

Il tunnel è chiuso per incidente.

Formal/Signage

"Incidente di stile"

— A fashion faux pas or an error in etiquette.

Indossare i calzini bianchi con i sandali è un incidente di stile.

Informal

"Fare un incidente di testa"

— To have a sudden lapse in judgment or a 'brain fart' (regional/colloquial).

Scusa, ho fatto un incidente di testa e ho dimenticato le chiavi.

Colloquial

Fácil de confundir

incidente vs Sinistro

Both mean accident.

Sinistro is specific to insurance and legal claims. Incidente is the general term for the event itself.

Ho fatto un incidente (event). L'assicurazione gestisce il sinistro (claim).

incidente vs Accidente

Phonetic similarity to English 'accident'.

Accidente is much narrower in Italian, often referring to a sudden illness or used in archaic expressions.

Gli è venuto un accidente (He had a stroke/sudden illness).

incidente vs Infortunio

Both involve bad luck.

Infortunio focuses on the physical injury to a person. Incidente focuses on the event or the damage to objects.

L'incidente ha distrutto l'auto, ma lui non ha avuto infortuni.

incidente vs Scontro

Both describe car crashes.

Scontro emphasizes the impact between two things. Incidente is the broader event.

Uno scontro tra due navi è un grave incidente.

incidente vs Contrattempo

Both are unexpected events.

Contrattempo is minor and usually just causes a delay. Incidente is more serious and involves damage or major disruption.

Un contrattempo mi ha fatto tardare, ma non è stato un incidente.

Padrões de frases

C'è stato un [noun].

C'è stato un incidente.

Ho fatto un incidente con [object].

Ho fatto un incidente con la macchina.

Un incidente di [noun].

Un incidente di percorso.

Essere coinvolto in un incidente [adjective].

È stato coinvolto in un incidente stradale.

L'incidente ha messo in luce [abstract noun].

L'incidente ha messo in luce la mancanza di sicurezza.

Non si può prescindere dall'incidente per [verb].

Non si può prescindere dall'incidente per capire il problema.

A causa di un incidente...

A causa di un incidente, il treno è in ritardo.

Nonostante l'incidente...

Nonostante l'incidente, siamo arrivati in tempo.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

incidentalità (accident rate)

incidenza (incidence/impact)

Verbos

incidere (to affect/cut into/impact)

Adjetivos

incidentale (incidental)

incidente (incident/hitting - technical)

Relacionado

accidente

coincidenza

evento

episodio

sinistro

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Como usar

frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation and news.

Erros comuns

L'ho fatto per incidente. → L'ho fatto per sbaglio / per caso.
In Italian, 'incidente' is the event, not the adverbial 'by accident'.
C'è stata una incidente. → C'è stato un incidente.
Incidente is masculine, so it takes 'un' and the masculine 'stato'.
Ho avuto un accidente d'auto. → Ho fatto un incidente d'auto.
'Accidente' is a false friend; 'incidente' is the correct word for a crash.
I incidenti sono pericolosi. → Gli incidenti sono pericolosi.
Before a vowel, the plural masculine article must be 'gli'.
Un'incidente grave. → Un incidente grave.
No apostrophe for masculine indefinite articles starting with a vowel.

Dicas

Article Choice

Always use 'l'' before 'incidente' in the singular. Using 'il' or 'lo' is incorrect because of the initial vowel. Practice saying 'l'incidente' as one word.

Verbs for Accidents

Instead of just 'avere' (to have), use 'fare' (to do/make) for car accidents. 'Ho fatto un incidente' sounds much more like a native speaker than 'Ho avuto un incidente'.

Workplace Safety

In Italy, 'incidente sul lavoro' is a serious matter. If you work there, learn the safety protocols ('norme di sicurezza') associated with avoiding them.

Setbacks

Use 'incidente di percorso' when you want to minimize a mistake or a problem in a professional setting. it sounds more sophisticated and less like a total failure.

Accidente Warning

Be very careful with the word 'accidente'. While it sounds like 'accident', using it in the wrong context can sound like you are cursing someone with a disease.

The 'CI' sound

The 'ci' in 'incidente' is pronounced like 'chi' in 'chicken'. Make sure it's soft and not a 'ki' sound like in 'kite'.

Journalism

When reading Italian newspapers, look for 'cronaca' sections. You will see 'incidente' used constantly to describe local news events.

Gestures

If describing an accident, use your hands to show the cars colliding. This is a very common way Italians communicate the 'dinamica' of the event.

Diplomacy

An 'incidente diplomatico' doesn't have to involve countries. You can use it jokingly when a friend says something awkward to someone else.

Plural Articles

The plural of 'l'incidente' is 'gli incidenti'. Never use 'i incidenti'. The 'gli' is necessary before a masculine noun starting with a vowel.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of an INCIDENT that happens in a DENTED car. Inci-DENT-e.

Associação visual

Imagine a car with a large 'I' for 'incidente' shaped dent in the side.

Word Web

stradale macchina polizia assicurazione pericolo guida danno soccorso

Desafio

Try to explain a small 'incidente di percorso' you had this week using only Italian sentences.

Origem da palavra

Derived from the Latin 'incidens', the present participle of 'incidere'.

Significado original: To fall upon, to happen, or to occur by chance.

Romance (Latin root)

Contexto cultural

Be sensitive when discussing 'incidenti mortali'. It is a heavy topic in Italy, often associated with young drivers (stragi del sabato sera).

English speakers use 'accident' for 'unintentional' things (e.g., 'I did it by accident'), but Italians use 'per sbaglio'. Don't confuse them!

The 'Incidente di Sigonella' - a famous 1985 diplomatic standoff between Italy and the USA. Various 'Neorealismo' films depict car accidents as turning points in the plot. The song 'L'incidente' by various Italian artists often uses the term metaphorically.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Driving

Ho fatto un incidente.
Dov'è il modulo per l'incidente?
Chiama la polizia per l'incidente.
L'incidente ha bloccato il traffico.

Workplace

Bisogna segnalare l'incidente.
È un incidente sul lavoro.
Il kit di primo soccorso è per gli incidenti.
La sicurezza evita gli incidenti.

Social/Diplomatic

È stato un brutto incidente diplomatico.
Scusa per l'incidente di prima.
Un incidente di percorso non ci fermerà.
Evitiamo incidenti spiacevoli.

News/Media

Grave incidente in autostrada.
Nessun ferito nell'incidente.
La dinamica dell'incidente è al vaglio.
Incidente aereo senza superstiti.

Insurance

Descriva l'incidente nel modulo.
L'assicurazione copre l'incidente?
Data e ora dell'incidente.
Foto dell'incidente.

Iniciadores de conversa

"Hai mai fatto un incidente con la macchina?"

"Cosa faresti se assistessi a un brutto incidente stradale?"

"Pensi che gli incidenti sul lavoro siano diminuiti negli ultimi anni?"

"Ti è mai capitato un incidente diplomatico a una festa?"

"Come si gestisce un incidente di percorso in un progetto importante?"

Temas para diário

Descrivi un piccolo incidente di percorso che hai avuto recentemente e come lo hai risolto.

Rifletti sulla sicurezza stradale nel tuo paese: ci sono troppi incidenti?

Scrivi una breve storia che inizi con 'C'era stato un incidente all'angolo della strada...'

Qual è stato l'incidente diplomatico più imbarazzante della tua vita?

Pensi che la tecnologia (come le auto che guidano da sole) possa eliminare gli incidenti?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

No, while it's the most common use, it can also mean a diplomatic incident, a workplace mishap, or any unexpected event that disrupts things. For example, 'incidente diplomatico' refers to a political blunder.

The most natural way is 'Ho fatto un incidente'. You can also say 'Sono stato coinvolto in un incidente' if you want to be more formal or less direct about your role in it.

It is a masculine noun. Therefore, you use 'un incidente' and 'l'incidente'. The plural is 'gli incidenti'.

In Italian, 'incidente' is the general word for an accident (like a car crash). 'Accidente' is often used for a sudden medical problem (like a stroke) or as a mild curse ('Che ti venga un accidente!').

No. To say 'by accident' (unintentionally), you should use 'per caso' or 'per sbaglio'. 'Incidente' refers to the event itself, not the intention behind an action.

It's an idiom meaning a 'hiccup' or a minor setback in a plan or a career. It implies that the overall journey is still continuing despite a small problem.

You use the adjective 'grave'. So, 'un incidente grave'. If there are deaths, it is 'un incidente mortale'.

It is 'un incidente' without the apostrophe because 'incidente' is masculine. The apostrophe is only used for feminine nouns starting with a vowel (like 'un'amica').

A 'sinistro' is a technical term used by insurance companies to refer to an accident that results in a claim. You will see it on official forms.

The phrase is 'incidente sul lavoro'. It is a very important term in Italian law and safety regulations.

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