Learn Italian: Dopo quegli insulti, lui ce l'ha con te, è ovvio. - After those insults, he is angry with you, it's obvious.

Dopo quegli insulti, lui ce l'ha con te, è ovvio.

After those insults, he is angry with you, it's obvious.

Breakdown of Dopo quegli insulti, lui ce l'ha con te, è ovvio.

Questions & Answers about Dopo quegli insulti, lui ce l'ha con te, è ovvio.

Why does ce l'ha con te translate to "he is angry with you"?

It comes from the pronominal verb avercela (to be angry or cross with someone). It is formed by the verb avere (to have) + ci (which becomes ce before another pronoun) + la (it). The fixed phrase avercela con qualcuno translates closely to "to have it in for someone" or "to be mad at someone."

What does the l' in ce l'ha actually stand for?

It stands for the feminine pronoun la (it). In many Italian pronominal verbs, like avercela, farcela, or prendersela, this la does not refer to a specific feminine noun. Instead, it acts as a generic "it" referring to the general situation. Because the conjugated verb ha is pronounced with a vowel sound, la ha contracts to l'ha.

Why is it quegli insulti instead of quei insulti?

The demonstrative adjective quello (that) changes its ending based on the noun it modifies, following the exact same rules as the definite articles. Since insulti is a masculine plural noun starting with a vowel, it would take the article gli (gli insulti). Therefore, quello takes the matching form quegli.

Does only refer to temporary anger, or can it mean a long-term grudge?