Italian Phrase
Mi fa schifo.
Meaning
This phrase literally translates to 'it makes disgust to me.' It is the primary way Italians express strong physical or moral repulsion toward something like bad food, a foul smell, or a person's behavior.
When to use
Use this in informal contexts to express that something is gross, nasty, or unacceptable. It is a strong expression, so use it with caution in polite company.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Mifaschifo
Mi (Indirect Object)
This pronoun means 'to me,' indicating that the disgust is felt by the speaker.
Fare (Verb)
The verb 'fa' is the third-person singular of 'fare' (to make), which agrees with the 'disgusting thing' as the subject.
Schifo (Noun)
A noun meaning 'disgust' or 'loathing,' used here as the object being 'made' by the situation.
🗨In Conversation
Vuoi assaggiare questo formaggio blu?
Do you want to taste this blue cheese?
No grazie, l'odore mi fa schifo.
No thanks, the smell disgusts me.
✕Common Mistakes
Io faccio schifo.
This means 'I am disgusting' rather than 'it disgusts me.' Use 'mi fa' to indicate the object is causing the disgust.
↔Alternatives
Che schifo!
How gross!
Mi disgusta.
It disgusts me (more formal).
Cultural Tip
Italians are very passionate about food, so saying 'mi fa schifo' about a meal someone cooked is considered a grave insult. In social settings, it is often accompanied by a specific hand gesture—brushing the back of the fingers under the chin and moving them outward.