A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I'm hurt" in Italian
Learn how to say 'I'm hurt' in Italian with this essential phrasebook entry, featuring pronunciation tips, common mistakes, and cultural context.
Mi sono fatto male.
mee SOH-noh FAHT-toh MAH-lehneutral
Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this phrase immediately after sustaining a minor injury, such as slipping on cobblestones, twisting an ankle while sightseeing, or scraping your knee. It informs nearby locals, hotel staff, or transit workers that you have hurt yourself and may need assistance. It is the go-to expression for personal physical injury before determining if emergency services are required.
Alternatives
- Sono feritobetter for more severe, bleeding, or traumatic open wounds
- Mi fa male...better when you want to specify a body part, like 'Mi fa male il piede' (My foot hurts)
- Aiuto!better if you are in severe danger or distress and need immediate rescue rather than just stating you are hurt
Ways to get it wrong
Using 'Sono ferito' for minor bumps
English speakers often look up 'hurt' and find 'ferito', but this sounds overly dramatic, like a battlefield casualty, for a simple bruise or sprain.
Mispronouncing the double T in 'fatto'
Be sure to hold the 't' sound in 'fatto' slightly longer, otherwise it can sound like 'fato' (fate), which changes the meaning completely.
A small cultural note
In Italy, onlookers are generally very eager to help in a medical mishap. Stating 'Mi sono fatto male' clearly will usually prompt a chorus of sympathetic reactions and immediate offers to call a doctor or find a pharmacy.
Frequently asked
how do you say i am hurt in italian if you are a woman
If you are female, you must change the past participle ending to a feminine 'a'. The correct phrase becomes 'Mi sono fatta male'.
difference between mi sono fatto male and mi fa male
'Mi sono fatto male' means 'I have hurt myself' as a general statement about an event. 'Mi fa male' means 'It hurts me' and is followed by the specific aching body part.
what to yell in italy if you get injured on the street
You should call out 'Aiuto!' for immediate help, followed by 'Mi sono fatto male' to explain that you are injured. This quickly signals to bystanders that you need assistance.
