infastidire
Lemma: infastidire
Translation: to annoy; to bother; to irritate; to disturb; to pester; to trouble (verb)
Etymology: From the prefix 'in-' (meaning 'into' or 'toward') + 'fastidio' (annoyance, bother), which comes from Latin 'fastidium' (disgust, aversion, dislike). The Latin root 'fastidium' is thought to derive from 'fastus' (pride, arrogance) + 'taedium' (weariness, disgust). The word captures the sense of causing someone to feel bothered or irritated. English cognates include 'fastidious' (showing careful attention to detail, often to the point of being excessive).
Example Usage
Il rumore della strada mi infastidisce.
The street noise annoys me.
Non volevo infastidirti con le mie domande.
I didn't want to bother you with my questions.
Si è infastidito quando gli ho chiesto di ripetere.
He got annoyed when I asked him to repeat.
Le zanzare mi infastidiscono durante l'estate.
Mosquitoes bother me during the summer.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'in-fast-idire' as something that makes you 'fast' to become irritated.
- Connect it to 'fastidious' in English - someone who is overly particular can be infastidire (annoying).
- Remember 'fastidio' (annoyance) and add 'in-' to make it a verb: 'to cause annoyance'.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This verb is commonly used in everyday Italian conversation to express annoyance or irritation. Italians often use this verb when discussing social interactions that have become bothersome or when someone is being persistently annoying.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'infastidire' is transitive (to annoy someone), 'infastidirsi' is reflexive (to get annoyed oneself).
Notes: The reflexive form indicates that the subject both performs and receives the action.
Mnemonic: Infastidire (with no 'si') is what you do TO others; infastidirsi (with 'si') is what happens TO you.
Explanation: Though they sound similar, 'infastidire' means 'to annoy' while 'infatuarsi' means 'to become infatuated with'.
Notes: These verbs represent opposite emotional reactions: irritation versus attraction.
Mnemonic: Think 'fast-idious' for 'infastidire' (annoying attention to detail) vs. 'fatuous' for 'infatuarsi' (foolish infatuation).