"Turbato dal silenzio": Meaning, Grammar, and Natural Usage

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where silence, instead of bringing peace, made you uncomfortable? Maybe during an interrupted conversation, in an unexpectedly empty place, or after important news. To describe this feeling in Italian, the perfect expression is "turbato dal silenzio." This adjective phrase is very common and useful for describing emotions in Italian. In this comprehensive guide, you will learn its meaning, grammar, and how to use it correctly to speak like a native.

Table of Contents

• What does “Turbato dal silenzio” mean?
• The Grammar Behind the Phrase: Rules and Common Mistakes
• Real-life examples with “Turbato dal silenzio”
• Related words and expressions
• Conclusion

More: Entusiasta per la novità Complete Guide to Speaking Like a Native

What does “Turbato dal silenzio” mean?

• Feeling uneasy, restless, or worried due to the absence of noise or communication.
• Turbato: Adjective derived from the verb "turbare," meaning "agitated," "restless," "worried," "bewildered." It implies an alteration of emotional state, often negative.
• Dal: Contracted preposition, combination of "da" (indicating cause or source) and "il" (the masculine singular definite article). It indicates the cause or origin of the disturbance.
• Silenzio: Absence of noise, here understood as a condition that generates discomfort.

The Grammar Behind the Phrase: Rules and Common Mistakes

• Agreement of the adjective: The adjective "turbato" must agree in gender and number with the subject it refers to.
  • Masculine singular: turbato (e.g., Lui è turbato dal silenzio.)
  • Feminine singular: turbata (e.g., Lei è turbata dal silenzio.)
  • Masculine plural: turbati (e.g., Loro sono turbati dal silenzio.)
  • Feminine plural: turbate (e.g., Loro sono turbate dal silenzio.)
• Use of the preposition: The correct preposition is "da" (becomes "dal" with the article "il"). This preposition is used to indicate the cause or agent of an action or state. As noted by Treccani, "da" has multiple functions, including causal.
  • Correct: turbato dal silenzio.
  • Incorrect: turbato per il silenzio (a common mistake, "per" indicates purpose or a more general cause), turbato al silenzio, turbato con il silenzio.
• Context: Although "turbato dal silenzio" is the standard expression, it's also possible to say "turbato dal suo silenzio" or "turbato dal loro silenzio" to refer to the silence of a specific person.

Real-life examples with “Turbato dal silenzio”

Here are some examples showing how to use "turbato dal silenzio" in real contexts. These will help you learn Italian and incorporate this expression into your Italian vocabulary.

• Dialogue 1: An anxious wait

  Person A: "Mamma è stranamente silenziosa da quando ha saputo la notizia. Credi che stia bene?" Person B: "Non so, anche io sono un po' turbato dal silenzio in casa. Di solito c'è sempre un gran chiasso."

• Dialogue 2: An embarrassing meeting

  Person A: "La riunione è finita in modo molto strano, nessuno ha detto una parola alla fine." Person B: "Sì, ho percepito la tensione. Ero davvero turbata dal silenzio che è calato improvvisamente."

• Situation 3: A moment of reflection

  After the guests leave, Marco felt turbato dal silenzio improvviso that filled the house, used to the hustle and bustle of the party.

• Situation 4: An unexpected reaction

  When I asked him what he thought, his only answer was silence. I was honestly turbato dal suo silenzio and the lack of reaction.

Related words and expressions

To enrich your Italian vocabulary and speak like a native, here are some similar or related expressions that can be used in situations similar to "turbato dal silenzio."

Conclusion

We've explored the expression "turbato dal silenzio," learning that it indicates a sense of discomfort or unease caused by the absence of noise or communication. Understanding its grammar and the correct use of the preposition "da" is fundamental to avoiding common errors in Italian.

Now that you have a deeper understanding of "turbato dal silenzio," try to use it! Share an example sentence in the comments below, describing a situation where you felt "turbato dal silenzio."