Italian Phrase
Non si sente bene, è un po' acciaccata.
Meaning
The speaker is saying that someone (usually a woman) does not feel well and looks a little worn out or run‑down. It conveys a mild, informal assessment of health or overall condition.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to comment on a friend’s or family member’s health in a casual conversation, especially after they’ve been sick, exhausted, or have been through a stressful period.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Nonsisentebene,èunpo'acciaccata
Negazione (Non)
Place 'non' before the verb to make the sentence negative.
Pronome riflessivo (si)
The reflexive pronoun 'si' is required with 'sentire' when talking about how someone feels.
Verbo sentire (si sente)
In the third person singular present, 'si sente' means 'he/she feels'.
Avverbio di grado (un po')
‘un po'’ (a little) softens the adjective that follows.
Aggettivo colloquiale (acciaccata)
‘acciaccata’ is an informal adjective meaning ‘worn‑out, run‑down’; it agrees in gender and number with the subject.
🗨In Conversation
Come sta Lucia?
How is Lucia?
Non si sente bene, è un po' acciaccata.
She doesn’t feel well, she’s a bit run‑down.
✕Common Mistakes
Non sente bene, è un po' acciaccata.
Missing the reflexive pronoun; ‘sente’ means ‘he/she hears’, not ‘feels’.
Non si sente bene, è un po' acciaccato.
Gender agreement error if the subject is feminine; use ‘acciaccata’ for a woman.
Non si sente bene, è molto acciaccata.
Avoid using ‘un po'’ with a strong negative like ‘molto’; it softens the meaning.
↔Alternatives
Non sta bene, è un po' stanca.
She isn’t well, she’s a little tired.
Non si sente in forma, è un po' provata.
She doesn’t feel in shape, she’s a bit worn out.
È poco in forma, sembra affaticata.
She’s not in great shape, she looks fatigued.
Cultural Tip
‘Acciaccata’ is colloquial and often used for both people and objects that look battered or exhausted. It’s perfectly fine in informal chats, but you would avoid it in a doctor’s office or any formal medical context, where you’d say ‘non si sente bene’ or ‘è indisposta’. Also, remember to match the adjective’s gender: ‘acciaccato’ for a man, ‘acciaccata’ for a woman.