brutta figura
bad impression, social embarrassment
Intermediate Phrase
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Pronunciation
/ˈbrutta fiˈɡuːra/
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Cultural Note
'Brutta figura' is the social nightmare every Italian dreads — it means making a bad impression through clumsiness, rudeness, cheapness, or social unawareness. It can range from showing up to dinner empty-handed to wearing inappropriate clothes. The fear of 'brutta figura' drives much of Italian social behavior and is a powerful cultural motivator.
📝 Example Sentences
Non voglio fare brutta figura davanti ai suoi genitori.
I don't want to make a bad impression in front of his parents.
Che brutta figura! Mi sono dimenticato il suo nome.
How embarrassing! I forgot his name.
Arrivare in ritardo è sempre una brutta figura.
Arriving late is always a bad impression.