Common Italian collocation
| Literal translation | To give the fault |
| IPA pronunciation | /ˈdaːre la ˈcolpa/ |
Dare la colpa
To blame
To blame someone can be translated as dare la colpa a qualcuno, which literally means “to blame (at) someone”.
Dare la colpa a qualcuno
To blame someone
It can also be translated as incolpare, but this verb is slightly less common.
Incolpare (qualcuno)
To blame (someone)
Examples
È stata incolpata la persona sbagliata. Federico è innocente.
The wrong person was blamed. Federico is innocent.
Non puoi dare la colpa a Paolo. Lui non era neanche presente alla festa.
You can’t blame Paolo. He was not even present at the party.
È facile dare la colpa a chi non può difendersi.
It is easy to blame those who cannot defend themselves.
Other useful expressions for talking about fault
Assumersi la responsabilità
To take responsability
Sentirsi in colpa
To feel guilty
(To feel at fault)
Cospargersi il capo di cenere
To wear sackcloth and ashes
(To sprinkle your head with ashes)
Capro espiatorio
Scapegoat
For example, you can say…
L’autista non si assume la responsabilità dell’incidente.
The driver does not take responsibility for the accident.
Mi sento in colpa per non essere intervenuto.
I feel guilty for not stepping in.
Il figlio si cosparse il capo di cenere e chiese scusa ai propri genitori.
The son wore sackcloth and ashes and apologized to his parents.
Stai solo cercando un capro espiatorio per sfogarti con qualcun altro.
You are just looking for a scapegoat to vent to someone else.
Related lessons
- dare (to give)
- colpa (fault)
- definite articles
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