nervo

nerve

noun NEHR-voh Rare

Origin: From Latin nervus, 'sinew, nerve'.

Usage Note

Nervo is used both anatomically (il nervo ottico = the optic nerve) and idiomatically. Dare sui nervi means to get on someone's nerves, and avere i nervi means to be on edge or irritable. The plural i nervi is especially common in these colloquial expressions.

Examples

"Quel rumore mi dà sui nervi."

Natural Translation

That noise gets on my nerves.

Literal Translation

That noise to-me gives on-the nerves.

Related Words

Explore Italian by topic

ItalianNow

Italian Numbers 1 to 100: Count Like a Local

Learn Italian numbers 1 to 100 by mastering 0-20, the tens, and 3 spelling rules so you can generate any number from ventuno to novantanove on demand.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Noun Gender: Rules, Endings & Exceptions

Italian noun gender decoded: -o is usually masculine, -a feminine, but -zione and -tà are feminine, -ore and -ma masculine. Plus the trap words to memorize.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Avere Fame: Why Italians "Have" Hunger, Not "Are"

In Italian you say Ho fame (I have hunger), never sono fame. Learn the avere + noun rule for fame, freddo, paura, age, and the sono caldo trap to avoid.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Tu vs Lei: Formal & Informal "You" in Italian

When in doubt, use Lei. Here's exactly when to use tu vs Lei in Italian — the who-to-use-with map, the verb and possessive shifts, and how to switch politely.

June 5, 2026 6 min read