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B1

Non mi si chiude il bottone.

The button won't close on me.

Pronunciation

'Chiude' — 'KYU-de'. Two syllables. The 'chi' = 'ky' sound. Stress on first syllable.

When to use it

When a shirt or jacket button can't close because the garment is too tight at that point. Specific feedback about a precise fit failure.

What it means

'Non mi si chiude' — reflexive + dative construction. 'Si chiude' = it closes (reflexive). 'Mi' = to me/on me. The full phrase 'non mi si chiude il bottone' is idiomatic Italian.

Variations

È troppo stretto sul petto.

It's too tight across the chest.

Describing the reason the button won't close

Fatico a chiuderlo.

I'm having trouble closing it.

More direct — I struggle to close it

Non si abbottona.

It won't button up.

Simpler reflexive form of the same problem

Mini Dialogue

Cliente: La camicia è bella ma non mi si chiude il bottone del collo. Commessa: Ha un collo più largo della media. Proviamo una taglia con colletto 42. Cliente: Non sapevo che esistessero taglie per il collo. Commessa: Sì, nelle camicie formali la taglia colletto è separata.
Customer: The shirt is nice but the collar button won't close on me. Assistant: You have a larger-than-average neck. Let's try a size with a 42 collar. Customer: I didn't know collar sizes existed separately. Assistant: Yes, in formal shirts the collar size is separate.

Cultural Note

In Italian men's formal shirt sizing, collar size ('taglia colletto') is measured in centimetres and is separate from the chest size. This is standard in quality Italian shirtmakers like Borriello or Barba Napoli.

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