7 untranslatable Italian words that tell us something about Italy

From ‘sprezzatura’ to ‘attaccabottoni’, there are some Italian words that don’t quite translate to English – and which reveal some interesting things about Italy and its culture.

Sprezzatura

What does it mean? First used by 16th-century courtier Baldassare Castiglione to describe “a certain nonchalance, so as to make whatever one does or says appear to be without effort,” sprezzatura describes the quintessentially Italian art of making something difficult look effortless.

Though there aren’t many courtiers around these days to show us what that looks like, Italy is full of more modern examples.

Think of that impeccably glamorous Italian friend who would never let on just how much work they put into maintaining their appearance, or that charming party host who never breaks a sweat and shrugs off their restaurant-style cooking as “just an old family recipe”.

What does it reveal? In line with another Italian obsession – fare una bella figura (‘to make a good impression’) – sprezzatura reflects a need to master beauty and elegance without ever giving away how hard it really is to do so.

Umarell

What does it mean? When wandering the streets of cities and towns around Italy, you might catch a glimpse of a uniquely Italian figure: the umarell.

The term refers to elderly gents who spend hours on end hanging around construction sites or roadworks, watching people go about their job while commenting or giving unsolicited advice about their work.

The term originated in Bologna, but has long become recognisable enough to make it into the Italian dictionary proper.

What does it reveal? On the surface, umarell may seem like nothing more than a humorous word used to describe elderly men who like to peer intently at ongoing construction work. However, it also reflects a deeper truth about Italian society.

In many parts of Italy, public spaces are almost like shared living rooms, and everyone feels entitled – if not obliged – to participate in anything that may be going on at any time of year.

Life in Italy is never fully private but always part of a collective story.

Supercazzola

What does it mean? The Zingarelli dictionary describes a supercazzola as a “phrase without sense, pronounced with seriousness to astonish and confuse the interlocutor”.

Made famous by Mario Monicelli’s 1975 film Amici Miei (‘My Friends’), the word refers to a speech that is deliberately delivered in an obscure way, often to conceal the lack of any real meaning behind what’s being said.

What does it reveal? The supercazzola is considered a staple of Italian politics, with cabinet ministers and MPs known to regularly deliver cryptic and convoluted speeches to hide the fact they have nothing meaningful to say about the subject at hand.

Italy’s Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli made headlines last year for delivering arguably one of the most impressive supercazzole in recent Italian history.

Menefreghismo

What does it mean? Menefreghismo derives from the phrase me ne frego, which roughly means ‘I don’t care’, or ‘I couldn’t care less’.

It is shorthand for pigheaded selfishness and indifference towards other people’s well-being or one’s own responsibilities.

In essence, menefreghismo refers to a total disregard for anything that may be considered important or valuable, especially social responsibilities and moral duties such as respecting others and the environment.

What does it reveal? Menefreghismo speaks to a darker side of Italian culture.

You might come across the term listening to Italians lament the way corruption sucks away desperately needed public funds, the way nothing gets done about the rubbish lining the streets, and the way it’s always someone else’s pal who gets the job.

You may also hear Italians call their next-door neighbour a menefreghista for refusing to sort out their waste or blasting music late at night without a care in the world.

Attaccabottoni

What does it mean? Attaccabottoni literally means ‘button attacher’, conjuring up the image of someone keeping you a little too close for a little too long, as if they were repairing the jacket you’re wearing.

The word refers to a chatty person who likes to make small talk with anyone, seemingly more for the sake of talking than anything else.

Bus stops, pharmacies and post offices are just some of the places where an attaccabottone may ensnare you in a long-winded conversation about the weather or the government’s latest shortcomings.

What does it reveal? Italians like to talk, and a big part of social life revolves around long conversations.

These conversations don’t have to be deep. The simple act of being around others and having a chat about trivial subjects is enough for many.

Abbiocco

What does it mean? An abbiocco is a fit of drowsiness, especially one that strikes after eating and drinking heartily.

Think of it as that urgent need to lie down and have a little kip following two full plates of lasagna or pasta al forno.

Though there’s no exact English translation, it’s often translated as ‘food coma’.

What does it reveal? Food is a key part of Italy’s culture, and Italians are known to celebrate almost any important occasion with a big meal in the company of family or friends.

That’s to say that collective post-meal abbiocchi are far from rare in Italian homes, especially on and around holidays, and on weekends.

The Italian answer to the abbiocco is the pennichella, an after-lunch power nap intended to recharge body and mind and get yourself ready to tackle the rest of the day.

Although the idea of sleeping after lunch may be viewed as rather lazy or indulgent in some cultures, in Italy, napping is not only acceptable but often seen as beneficial and even essential for health, mood and productivity.

Boh

What does it mean? When asked questions they really don’t know the answer to, Italians often reply with a simple sound: boh.

It means ‘I don’t know’, but in its most informal form.

‘Boh’ is often accompanied by a thrust of the chin forward and up, and lips pulled down.

What does it reveal? From head-scratching bureaucracy to surprising cultural norms, everyday life in Italy can be hard to figure out for newcomers.

But even people born and raised in Italy can’t always make sense of all aspects of life in the country.

Why do you need two stamps, three forms, and an in-person visit to the comune to do something as simple as renewing a document? Boh. Why are there so many transport strikes every month? Boh. What are the exact rules around switching from buongiorno to buonasera? Boh, penso dipenda dalla regione (‘I don’t know, I guess it depends on the region’).

The above list is non-exhaustive.

Do you have a favourite untranslatable Italian word? Share it in the comments section below.

7 untranslatable Italian words that tell us something about Italy

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