Meaning
ruin, downfall
- ruin, destruction, downfall
- ruins, remains (usually plural)
In a sentence
Quel ritardo ha causato la rovina del progetto.
That delay caused the project's downfall.
Hai visto le rovine vicino al mare?
Did you see the ruins near the sea?
Non lasciare tutto così, è una rovina.
Don't leave everything like this, it's a mess.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| rovina | feminine · singular |
| rovine | feminine · plural |
Usage notes
- Often used in the plural, rovine, for archaeological or old building remains; singular rovina more often means disaster, collapse, or financial downfall.
- In colloquial Italian, essere una rovina means someone or something is very costly or exhausting, not literally destroyed.
- For physical wreckage after an accident, macerie is often more specific; rovina is broader and can be abstract or economic.