lo impaccio
awkwardness
Difficoltà nel muoversi o nel fare qualcosa in modo sciolto e sicuro.
Definition & meaning
- Obstacle or hindrance: Something that gets in the way of movement or action, often creating a physical or logistical burden.
- Awkwardness or embarrassment: A feeling of social discomfort, shyness, or confusion. It describes a state of being ill-at-ease in a given situation or when interacting with others.
- Difficulty: A state of being in a tight spot, often financial or personal, where one feels trapped or unable to act freely.
Grammar & Word origin
The word is a masculine singular noun. It is derived from the verb impacciare, which stems from the prefix in- (in) combined with paccio (a dialectal or archaic term related to impasto or "clog/mass"). Etymologically, it suggests something that "clogs" or "binds" one's actions.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- Ostacolo: A physical or metaphorical barrier.
- Imbarazzo: Specifically regarding the feeling of social awkwardness.
- Intralcio: A hindrance or something that gets tangled in one's path.
- Difficoltà: A general term for a state of trouble or hardship.
- Ingombro: Something that takes up space and causes physical obstruction.
Antonyms
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Examples
Provo un po' di impaccio quando parlo.noun
I feel a bit of awkwardness when I speak.
Ho superato l'impaccio iniziale durante la riunione.noun
I overcame the initial awkwardness during the meeting.
Mi sono liberato dell'impaccio con una spiegazione chiara.noun
I freed myself from the awkwardness with a clear explanation.
All'inizio della conversazione ho sentito un impaccio leggero, ma poi mi sono rilassato.noun
At the beginning of the conversation I felt a slight awkwardness, but then I relaxed.
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