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PhrasesDescribing SymptomsHo perso l'appetito.
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Ho perso l'appetito.

I have lost my appetite.

Pronunciation

ap-pe-TI-to — four syllables, double 'p'. 'Perso' = lost. 'Ho perso' = I have lost.

When to use it

Report loss of appetite to a doctor, especially if prolonged (more than 1-2 weeks) or combined with weight loss.

What it means

'Ho perso l'appetito' = I have lost my appetite (passato prossimo of 'perdere'). Medical term: 'anoressia' (not the eating disorder, just medical for appetite loss). Prolonged loss of appetite with weight loss ('calo ponderale') is a red flag requiring investigation — possible causes: depression, cancer, GI disorders, infections, medications.

Variations

Non riesco a mangiare nulla da giorni.

I cannot eat anything for days.

Complete anorexia — urgent if prolonged, especially with weight loss

Ho perso cinque chili in un mese senza dieta.

I have lost five kilos in a month without dieting.

Unintentional weight loss — a red flag requiring investigation

Il cibo non ha più sapore. Non ho voglia di niente.

Food has no taste anymore. I do not feel like anything.

Combined with mood symptoms — suggests depression

Mini Dialogue

— Ho perso l'appetito da tre settimane. E ho perso anche quattro chili. — Ha nausea? — Sì, soprattutto la mattina. — Difficoltà a deglutire? — Un po'. Sembra che il cibo non scenda bene. — Questi sintomi insieme mi preoccupano. La mando a fare una gastroscopia. — Pensa che sia qualcosa di serio? — Voglio escludere tutto. Meglio controllare.

— I have lost my appetite for three weeks. And I also lost four kilos. — Do you have nausea? — Yes, especially in the morning. — Difficulty swallowing? — A bit. It seems food does not go down well. — These symptoms together concern me. I will send you for a gastroscopy. — Do you think it is something serious? — I want to rule everything out. Better to check.

Cultural Note

In Italian medical culture, unexplained weight loss ('dimagramento involontario') of more than 5% of body weight in 6 months is considered a red flag ('segnale d'allarme'). Italian GPs are trained to investigate this with blood tests, endoscopy referrals, and imaging. Italian oncology associations recommend awareness of this symptom as it can be an early sign of cancer — when treatment is most effective.