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PhrasesAgreeing and DisagreeingLo trovo discutibile.
B2formal

Lo trovo discutibile.

I find it debatable / questionable.

Pronunciation

'Discutibile' — di-scu-TI-bi-le. Stress on the third syllable. Five syllables — don't rush.

When to use it

Use in formal contexts to signal that you find something questionable or open to serious debate — without outright rejecting it. A sophisticated way to open space for further discussion.

What it means

'Discutibile' (debatable/questionable) literally means 'that can be discussed'. When applied to an argument or statement, it means 'not settled / open to challenge'. It's milder than 'sbagliato' (wrong) but signals significant reservations.

Variations

È una posizione contestabile.

It's a contestable position.

'Contestabile' (contestable) — can be challenged. Similar to 'discutibile' but slightly more critical.

Ci sono molti dubbi su questa affermazione.

There are many doubts about this statement.

Focuses on the doubts rather than the person — less confrontational

Non è poi così ovvio.

It's not quite as obvious as it seems.

Questions the assumption that the point is self-evident — very intellectually effective

Mini Dialogue

— Quindi tutti sono d'accordo con questa affermazione? — Io lo trovo discutibile. Ci sono studi che mostrano risultati contrari. — Quali studi? — Te li mando via email.

— So everyone agrees with this statement? — I find it debatable. There are studies showing contrary results. — What studies? — I'll send them to you by email.

Cultural Note

Backing a disagreement with 'studi' (studies) or 'ricerche' (research) is the most powerful form of Italian intellectual disagreement — it replaces personal opinion with evidential authority. Italians respect academic evidence when it's genuine and relevant.