The Italian word malanno (mah-lahn-no) is an interesting and versatile term with layers of meaning and cultural significance. Its most common translation into English is “ailment” or “illness,” but its usage often extends beyond physical sickness to include mishaps, misfortunes, or troubles in general. The word isquite common in Italian everyday speech, which makes it a colorful and practical addition to your daily vocabulary.
Etymologically, malanno derives from the Latin malus (bad) and annus (year), which simply means “bad year.” This meaning was particularly reflective of an era when an unproductive or challenging year, due to famine, pestilence, or economic hardship, could have a profound impact on communities. Over time, the word evolved to mean something that brings trouble or difficulty, whether it’s poor health, bad luck, or an unfortunate event.
Historical records suggest that malanno began appearing in Italian vernacular during the medieval period, when words tied to survival and misfortune became central to daily discourse. In fact, there are example of its use even in the Divina Commedia by Dante Alighieri.
In contemporary usage, malanno is predominantly colloquial, and is often used to describe minor health issues like colds or the flu. For example, a concerned parent might say, Copriti bene o prenderai un malanno! (“Cover up well, or you’ll catch an illness!”); however, its application is not limited to physical ailments, as it can also describe general misfortune or persistent trouble, such as in the phrase, Questo progetto ha avuto un malanno dietro l’altro, meaning “This project faced one mishap after another.” However, this second meaning is far less common than the first.
Dopo quella pioggia, ho preso un malanno e ora ho sto male.
After that rain, I caught a cold and now I’m sick.
Il povero Luca sembra avere tutti i malanni del mondo.
Poor Luca seems to have all the troubles in the world.
Hai l’influenza? Sono i malanni di stagione!
Did you get the flu? Well, it’s the season for it!
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