A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Not bad" in Italian
Italian for 'not bad,' a versatile phrase for expressing moderate approval or a neutral state.
Non c'è male
non cheh MAH-lehneutral
Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this when someone asks how something is going, like your meal, a movie, or your day. It's also a good response if someone asks how you're feeling and you're just okay.
Alternatives
- Abbastanza beneSlightly more positive, meaning 'quite good.'
- Tutto beneMeans 'all good,' implying no problems at all.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'male' with 'bad'
While 'male' means 'bad,' 'non c'è male' is an idiom that means 'not bad,' not 'there is bad.'
Pronouncing 'c' in 'c'è'
The 'c' in 'c'è' sounds like 'ch' in 'cheese,' not like 'k.'
A small cultural note
Italians often use understatement, so 'non c'è male' can sometimes mean something is actually quite good, depending on tone and context.
Frequently asked
When to use non c'è male vs tutto bene?
'Non c'è male' is a more reserved 'not bad,' while 'tutto bene' means 'everything is fine' or 'all good.'
Is non c'è male a compliment?
It can be, but it's a mild one. It's more often used to indicate that something is acceptable or satisfactory, rather than excellent.
How to say 'not bad' to a friend in Italian?
You can use 'Non c'è male' with friends; it's perfectly natural and common in casual conversation.
