Meaning
miserable; wretched
- miserable, wretched
- squalid, shabby
- despicable, contemptible
In a sentence
Quel cane ha una vita miserabile in strada.
That dog has a miserable life on the street.
Hai visto quel bagno miserabile del bar?
Did you see that filthy bathroom in the bar?
Non voglio più vivere in una casa miserabile.
I don't want to live in a miserable house anymore.
Word forms (4)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| miserabile | masculine · singular |
| miserabile | feminine · singular |
| miserabili | masculine · plural |
| miserabili | feminine · plural |
Usage notes
- Often stronger and more literary than povero. Use povero for neutral lack of money; miserabile adds contempt, squalor, or moral judgment.
- Before a noun, it agrees normally: una vita miserabile, condizioni miserabili. Learners often forget the plural miserabili.
- For temporary feelings, Italians usually prefer mi sento male, sono giù, or sono infelice, not miserabile.