While it’s perfectly acceptable to use the word problema in Italian to talk about your issues, incorporating the term grattacapo will add a touch of fluency to your speech!
grattacapo
problem / headache / worry
Grattacapo is composed of two words: the verb grattare (to scratch) and the noun capo (head). In other words, it literally means “head-scratcher.” Being a masculine noun, it takes the following definite and indefinite articles:
- il grattacapo = the problem
- i grattacapi = the problems
- un grattacapo = a problem
- dei grattacapi = (some) problems
È stato un bel grattacapo per tutti gli architetti coinvolti nella costruzione della casa.
It was a real headache for the architects involved in the construction of the house.
Here are some verbs that are commonly used with grattacapo:
- avere un (bel) grattacapo = to have a (real) problem
- dare un grattacapo a qualcuno = to give someone a headache / cause someone trouble
- procurarsi dei grattacapi = to get into trouble / a bind
- prendersi dei grattacapi = to get into trouble / face problems
- crearsi dei grattacapi = to create problems for oneself
ll video trapelato ieri ha creato un bel po’ di grattacapi a lui e alla sua squadra.
Yesterday’s leaked video has caused a lot of headaches for him and his team.
Heather Broster is a graduate with honours in linguistics from the University of Western Ontario. She is an aspiring polyglot, proficient in English and Italian, as well as Japanese, Welsh, and French to varying degrees of fluency. Originally from Toronto, Heather has resided in various countries, notably Italy for a period of six years. Her primary focus lies in the fields of language acquisition, education, and bilingual instruction.
