A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "The size is wrong" in Italian
Say 'La taglia è sbagliata' when the clothes or shoes you're trying on don't fit.
La taglia è sbagliata.
la TAH-lyah ehz bah-LYAH-tahneutral
Italian TTS · 0:01
This is what you'll say when you're shopping for clothes or shoes and the item you've picked out is too big, too small, or just doesn't fit right. You can say it to a salesperson in a shop.
Alternatives
- Non mi va bene.More general, meaning 'it doesn't suit me' or 'it doesn't work for me'.
- È troppo grande/piccola.Use when you know specifically that it's too large or too small.
Ways to get it wrong
Using 'errore' instead of 'sbagliata'
'Errore' means mistake or error, but 'sbagliata' is the adjective needed here for 'wrong'.
Pronouncing 'taglia' like 'tal-gia'
The 'gli' in 'taglia' makes a soft 'ly' sound, similar to the 'lli' in 'million'.
A small cultural note
Italians are often very particular about fit, so don't hesitate to point out if something isn't right. The salesperson will expect you to be honest.
Frequently asked
What if the size is just a little bit off?
You can still use 'La taglia è sbagliata.' If you want to be more specific, you could say 'È un po' troppo stretta' (It's a bit too tight) or 'È un po' troppo larga' (It's a bit too loose).
How do I ask for a different size?
After saying 'La taglia è sbagliata,' you can ask 'Avete una taglia più grande/piccola?' (Do you have a bigger/smaller size?).
Can I say 'The size is wrong' about shoes?
Yes, 'La taglia è sbagliata' works perfectly for shoes as well as clothing.
