essere sottovalutato
/esˈseːre sottovaluˈtaːto/To be judged as less valuable or capable than one actually is.
Il suo talento è stato sottovalutato per anni.
His talent was underestimated for years.
Le donne sono spesso sottovalutate in ambito lavorativo.
Women are often underestimated in the workplace.
Used for people, skills, abilities, or potential that are not recognized appropriately.
Collocations
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Common Mistake
Avoid using 'sottovalutato' as a standalone adjective without 'essere'. The phrase 'essere sottovalutato' is a verb phrase, not a standalone adjective.
⚡Gold Rule
Context Matters
Use 'essere sottovalutato' when referring to a persistent state of being undervalued, not a one-time action.
📖Word Origin
From 'essere' (to be) + 'sottovalutato' (past participle of 'sottovalutare', compound of 'sotto' (under) + 'valutare' (to evaluate)). The phrase reflects the concept of assigning less value than deserved.
📝Usage Notes
Common in contexts discussing recognition of talent, skills, or potential. Often used in passive constructions or with auxiliary verbs (e.g., 'può essere sottovalutato').