Everyone visiting Italy should learn a few Italian slang words that will prove to be helpful when interacting with the locals. That is why we came up with this easy guide.
Stick around to learn the most common slang words in Italian you may encounter when traveling this beautiful country.
One of the best parts of visiting a new place is picking up the lingo of the locals. It’s a great way to meet people and get acclimated to the area. It’s also a window into the region’s unique culture and character.
Learning even a few words and phrases in a foreign language can pave the way to communication, even if you are not a native speaker. In addition, people of the target language will appreciate your attempt to communicate with them despite any language barrier.
To avoid coming off as robotic and instead making an authentic connection, it helps to know some slang terms.
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Using slang in English is so commonplace that we rarely give it a second thought. But it’s precisely these slang terms that make it easier for our friends, coworkers, and even total strangers to understand us. You can tell at once that the person using slang is at ease with themselves using such language.
The Italian language is no exception to the general trend of adopting slang terms. Learning slang phrases is one of the quickest ways for a beginner to sound like a native speaker of Italian.
Learning the Top Italian Slang Words and Phrases To Make You Sound Like a Local
You will easily sound less like a textbook and more like an Italian by learning a few slang, idioms, or dialect expressions. Plus, you won’t have to constantly bother your Italian friends to get definitions of unfamiliar phrases.
Read more: 16 Ways To Say CHEERS in Italian and the Rules When Toasting During Special Occasions
Why You Should Learn Italian Slang
Slang is useful because it helps you blend in with the community. There isn’t much work involved, but the benefits of learning are significant.
Idioms and slang do not pose a great challenge to students who have been learning Italian in a classroom setting but are now expected to participate in conversations with native speakers. It’s normal for native Italian speakers, like speakers of any language, to use slang and informal language in everyday conversation.
There will be less of a language barrier between you and your new Italian friends if you take the time to familiarize yourself with some common Italian slang and idioms before your trip. You’ll also have a more natural, native-like accent.
The Basics of Italian Slang
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While studying formal Italian is crucial, it is only roughly 75% applicable to real-life circumstances that occur outside of textbooks and classrooms, where the vast majority of Italian communication takes place.
Vocabulary, however, is a different area entirely from the grammatical norms that are followed by most native Italian speakers and are outlined in Italian textbooks and grammar manuals.
Slang is frequently used in casual, everyday conversation. Courses and programs of study rarely address this slang. They want you to hone your skills in professional, polite, and appropriate communication.
But if you want to fit in and communicate with the locals, you need to learn their slang and vernacular.
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Today, we will discuss Italian slang expressions and terms that have endured and are not trendy or faddish like “amazeballs” or “on fleek” in English.
In the Italian language, slang expressions are casual additions to the lovely language, which makes it easier and fun to communicate.
With that in mind, let’s go right into our compilation of the top 33 Italian slang words and phrases to make you sound like a local.
Top Italian Slang Expressions
The following are some of the most popular and helpful Italian slang expressions that you should know.
Keep in mind that most of these expressions have idiomatic meanings. They are meant to be regarded in a metaphorical sense.
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1. Amore a prima vista – Love at first sight
This essentially refers to the sensation of falling in love with someone the instant your eyes first lay upon them.
2. Avere un chiodo fisso in testa – To be fixated on something (Lit.: To have a nail stuck on one’s head)
Successful people around the globe, whether in business, athletics, or any other field, tend to be the most intransigent type. They are dogmatically committed to a theory or belief that others may question. A compliment delivered via this slang expression will be appreciated by the recipient, even if it comes off as criticism to some.
3. Boccalone – A big mouth / A gossip
This slang indicates that the person in question has very “loose” lips and is incapable of keeping a secret.
4. Boh! – I don’t know!
Common Italian slang includes the term “boh.” This is the Italian slang word to use when you are at a loss for words and just don’t have an answer.
5. Basta! – Enough!
If someone is truly getting on your nerves or pestering your friend, you need to take a stand and tell them, “Enough is enough!” You can use the Italian slang “basta” when you’re speaking up for yourself as well as for another person.
6. Caspita – Oh, boy / Geez
Depending on how the exclamation is toned, it might be interpreted either as a positive or negative statement. It can convey surprise, frustration, or remorse.
7. Che figata! Fallo ancora. – That’s cool/awesome! Do it again.
You should use this expression whenever you are commenting on anything current, fashionable, or cutting edge. This is a way of showing you’re impressed by something and would like to see it again.
8. Che palle! – Pain in the butt
The phrase “Che palle!” means “A pain in the butt!” It is used as a statement of frustration. Use this term with caution, as some older Italians may not appreciate it if it is not properly placed in its context.
9. Che schifo! – How disgusting!
This phrase is used to express something that is particularly disheartening, horrible, or repulsive.
10. Chi se ne frega? – Who cares?
It is Italian slang that indicates a lack of concern for a certain matter, equivalent to not giving a hoot.
Read more: 10 Best Ways To Say Hello in Italian
11. Cicciobomba – Fat slob
A fairly derogatory term that younger people in Italy use when they want to refer to a man is a “fat slob” or “fat guy.”
12. Dai! – Come on!
This one is an exclamation of incredulity, the Italian counterpart of the English phrase “You’re kidding me!”
13. Essere un guastafeste – Party pooper
If you want to allude to someone who ruins a party, you can use this term to describe them.
14. Essere nelle nuvole – To be in the clouds
Those that tend to daydream (in the clouds) are often the most imaginative people. Either way, if you’re trying to be polite to someone, you can describe them as highly inventive by using this phrase.
15. Essere un po’ di fuori – To be a little wacky
This is the phrase that you would use to describe someone who is either a little out of their environment or who is just weird in general.
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16. Evvai! – Hurray!
It is a gesture that conveys excitement about something toward which one has labored.
17. Figurati! – Don’t worry about it!
“Figurati!” can be used as an exclamation of surprise, as in: “No way!” It can also be used as a dismissive shrug after receiving gratitude, similar to “Don’t mention it” or “Don’t worry about it.”
18. In boca al lupo – Good luck
“Best of luck to you” in Italian is “In boca al lupo,” which is is similar to the English phrase “Break a leg!” It is the Italians’ superstitious way of wishing someone good luck.
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19. Magari! – I hope so.
To add some optimism to what someone else has said, “magari” is the word to use. Depending on how the rest of the conversation is going, it might also signify “I wish,” “if only,” or “yeah, right.”
20. Ma va! – Really? / You don’t say!
This one meets the criteria for an expression of great shock which Italians use after hearing something difficult to believe, as in “Really?” and “You don’t say!”
21. Mamma mia! – Oh, my! (Lit.: My mother!)
It’s a go-to expression for native Italian speakers to convey frustration, surprise, and even dread.
22. Meno male! – Thank God!
What we have here is the equivalent of the English phrase “Thank God!” You can also use this Italian phrase as an expression of relief, as in “That’s great!” So, “Meno male” is a huge sigh of relief verbally expressed by Italian speakers.
23. Pigrone/a – Big lazy bum
Pigrone, which means “lazybones” in English, is a derogatory term for a sluggish man. You use pigrona to refer to a lazy woman.
24. Prendere la palla al balzo – Take the ball at the bounce
This phrase is synonymous with the English expression “to take the bull by the horns,” which means that one should seize an opportunity when it presents itself.
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25. Ricco sfondato – Rolling in money
In English we use the term “baller,” but Italians use the phrase “rich fool.” It indicates that you have so much riches that you are practically being showered with cash.
26. Scialla – Stay calm
The word “scialla” can be translated as “take it easy” or “relax.” Italians use this phrase when they want to reassure someone that they need not be concerned.
27. Sono cavoli miei! – That’s none of your business! / That’s my business!
These words in Italian literally mean: “They are my cabbages.” This is a phrase used to tell other people to mind their own business.
28. Spacchuiso – Cool
The very sound of this word evokes the concept of “cool” in one’s mind. The term “cool” does not refer to the level of temperature; rather, it is a means of defining how “hip” or “awesome” something is.
29. Tipo – Like / For example
“Tipo” is a slang term that is used to give an example of something or to specify something else. The equivalent phrase in English would be “like” or “for example.”
30. Tutto sale e pepe – All good (Lit.: All salt and pepper)
People who speak English may occasionally use the Italian slang phrase “it’s all salt and pepper, baby” to emphasize that everything is in satisfactory condition. By stating this, you can demonstrate to people how easygoing you are.
Further reading: 12 Best Ways To Say THANK YOU in Italian (+ How NOT To Say It)
31. Va bene – Okay
This phrase, which expresses acceptance and agreement, is the Italianization of the English word “okay.” Additionally, when the Italian slang phrase is posed in the form of a question, “Va bene?,” it denotes the meaning “Got it?”
32. Veloce come un razzo – To be as fast as lightning
This is what you say in Italian if you are referring to someone who has a quick wit or who is genuinely quite swift physically.
33. Allora – Uh / So
Most people who are not fluent in Italian find the word “allora” to be somewhat baffling. Used the way you say “uh” or “so” in English, allora is a filler word used to indicate a pause for thought.
When used alone or as a sentence starter, the word “allora” buys you some mental space and conveys to the listener that you are considering their input. Irritation can be conveyed when used alone. In other cases, it’s only a filler term.