Complete Guide to "Turbato dall’incidente": What It Means and How to Use It

Have you ever felt shaken or deeply affected by an unexpected event? In Italian, to express this state of mind, we often use the adjectival phrase "turbato dall’incidente". Understanding its meaning, its grammar, and correct use is essential for speaking like a native and enriching your Italian vocabulary. This guide will help you master this expression, so you can use it confidently in your conversations.

Table of Contents

• What does “turbato dall’incidente” mean?
• The Grammar behind the Phrase: Rules and Common Errors
• Real-life examples with “turbato dall’incidente”
• Related words and expressions
• Conclusion

More: Eccitato per l’evento Meaning, Grammar, and Natural Usage in Italian

What does “turbato dall’incidente” mean?

• turbato: An adjective that comes from the verb “turbare”. It means “upset”, “disturbed”, “emotionally agitated”. It indicates a state of profound psychological or emotional discomfort, often in response to something unexpected or unpleasant.
• dall’: Combination of the preposition “da” (which indicates cause or agent) and the definite article “l’”. The preposition “da” is used to specify the origin or direct cause of a feeling or an action experienced.
• incidente: An unforeseen and unpleasant event, often with negative consequences. It can refer to a physical accident (e.g., road accident), a malfunction, a workplace mishap or any event that causes strong discomfort.

Feeling emotionally shaken, disturbed, or deeply affected because of an unexpected or traumatic event, whether it is a physical occurrence or an unpleasant fact.

More: Preoccupato per la salute Meaning, Grammar and Natural Usage Explained

The Grammar behind the Phrase: Rules and Common Errors

• Adjective agreement: The adjective "turbato" agrees in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) with the subject experiencing the emotion. This is a key point in Italian grammar for describing emotional states.
  • Correct examples:
    • Io sono turbato dall’incidente (masculine singular).
    • Lei è turbata dall’incidente (feminine singular).
    • Noi siamo turbati dall’incidente (masculine plural).
    • Le ragazze sono turbate dall’incidente (feminine plural).
• Use of the preposition "da": The preposition "da" is essential. It indicates the cause or the agent that provokes the emotional state, typically in a passive construction or with verbs that express an experienced emotion. "Da" is used when the emotion is “caused by” something or someone. As noted by WordReference.com, the preposition "da" with the meaning of efficient cause is a standard use in Italian.
  • Correct: "turbato **dall'**incidente".
  • Incorrect: "turbato per l'incidente" (even though "per" can indicate cause in other contexts, not here for the direct agent).
  • Incorrect: "turbato con l'incidente" (indicates company or instrument, not cause).
• Flexibility of the term "incidente": Keep in mind that "incidente" does not only refer to road collisions, but to any unpleasant event that causes discomfort or disturbance.

Real-life examples with “turbato dall’incidente”

Here are some examples of how to use "turbato dall’incidente" in real contexts. These will help you better understand the use of prepositions and Italian grammar.

• Dialogue 1: Unpleasant news

  • Persona A: "Ho sentito dell'incidente stradale sulla tangenziale. Stanno tutti bene?"
  • Persona B: "Fortunatamente sì, ma Roberto è ancora visibilmente turbato dall’incidente di ieri. Ha bisogno di riposo."

• Dialogue 2: An unexpected event at work

  • Persona A: "La riunione di stamattina è stata molto tesa. Come sta la tua collega?"
  • Persona B: "È rimasta molto turbata dall’incidente diplomatico con il nuovo cliente. Non se l'aspettava per niente."

• Dialogue 3: After a mishap

  • Persona A: "Come si sentono i bambini dopo la caduta al parco?"
  • Persona B: "Ora stanno meglio, ma erano davvero turbati dall’incidente con l'altalena. Abbiamo dovuto calmarli a lungo."

Related words and expressions

Similar expressions can help you describe people in Italian and broaden your vocabulary.

Conclusion

"Turbato dall’incidente" is a common expression to describe a strong emotional discomfort caused by an event. Understanding the agreement of the adjective and the use of the preposition "da" is fundamental to use it correctly and improve your Italian learning. This phrase will help you express complex emotions more accurately and naturally.

Now it’s your turn! Try using "turbato dall’incidente" in a sentence. Share your example in the comments below!