Meaning
martyrdom, ordeal
- the suffering or death endured for beliefs or principles
- prolonged physical or mental agony; an agonizing ordeal
In a sentence
Lavorare con questo mal di denti è diventato un vero martirio.
Working with this toothache has become pure agony.
Il viaggio di dieci ore sotto la pioggia è stato un martirio continuo.
The ten-hour drive in the rain was a non-stop ordeal.
Non voleva prolungare quel martirio e ha chiuso subito la conversazione.
He did not want to prolong that agony and quickly ended the conversation.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| martirio | masculine · singular |
| martiri | masculine · plural |
Usage notes
- The plural 'martìri' is spelt the same as the plural of 'màrtire' (martyrs), but the stress differs.
- Often used hyperbolically in everyday speech for tedious chores or severe aches.