Italian Phrase
È un vero tormentone!
Meaning
Literally ‘It’s a real tormentone,’ this idiom is used to describe a catchy tune or phrase that you can’t get out of your head – the Italian equivalent of an ‘earworm.’ It can be said with admiration or mild annoyance, depending on the speaker’s tone.
When to use
Use this expression when a song, jingle, or even a repeated slogan keeps looping in your mind. It works in casual conversation, on social media, or when commenting on a hit that dominates the radio charts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Èunverotormentone!
È (essere)
Third‑person singular present of the verb *essere*; used here as a copula linking the subject and predicate.
un (indefinite article)
Masculine singular indefinite article; agrees with the masculine noun *tormentone*.
vero (adjective)
Means ‘true’ or ‘genuine’; placed before the noun to intensify the statement.
tormentone (noun)
Colloquial term for a song or phrase that gets stuck in your head; literally ‘a tormenting thing.’
🗨In Conversation
Hai sentito la nuova canzone di Laura?
Did you hear Laura’s new song?
Sì, è un vero tormentone!
Yes, it’s a real earworm!
✕Common Mistakes
È un vero tormenta!
‘Tormenta’ means ‘storm’; the correct noun for an earworm is *tormentone*.
È una vera tormentone!
Because *tormentone* is masculine, the adjective must be *vero*, not *vera*.
↔Alternatives
È una canzone molto orecchiabile.
It’s a very catchy song.
È una melodia che si incolla nella testa.
It’s a melody that sticks in the head.
È un pezzo che non riesco a togliere dalla mente.
It’s a track I can’t get out of my mind.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, *tormentone* often refers to pop hits that dominate radio playlists and TV commercials. While the word can be used affectionately, it can also carry a slightly negative nuance, implying the song is over‑played. Regional variations exist: in the north you might hear *canzone orecchiabile*, while in the south *tormentone* is the go‑to term.