Are you learning Italian and want to acquire words that schools won’t teach you? Benvenuto! You’re in the right place.
Italian is a beautiful language with an amazing vocabulary. Learning it will allow you to travel to Italy and have a cooler visit. Because you’ll understand natives and will be more immersed in the lifestyle than if you didn’t know the language.
But just like when it happens with any language, there are some words and phrases that schools don’t like to teach you. Yes, we’re talking about swear words or “parolacce”, as Italians say. Nonetheless, they’re very important.
Whether we like it or not, swear words are part of people’s everyday vocabulary. And so they’re a must for when we learn Italian, especially if we’re planning a visit. We don’t want to pass an embarrassing moment of not knowing if someone is insulting us or just saying a general expression.
So, if you’re interested in all aspects of the Italian vocabulary, here are some Italian swear words you must know.
15 Italian Swear Words
1. Cazzo
Let’s start with a very common one: “Cazzo”. Literally it means dick. But as a swear word, “cazzo” is like saying “shit” or “fuck”. Can you see now why this is used as such a popular everyday expression? After all, it’s just like in the English language, where “fuck” is very common.
For example: “Cazzo! I just cut my hand cooking!”
2. Testa di cazzo
On that same line, we have “Testa di cazzo”. “Testa” means “head”. And we already said “cazzo” is dick. So, “testa di cazzo” means “dickhead”.
For example: “Do the right thing; don’t be a testa di cazzo”.
3. Cazzata
Do you want to continue with the “cazzo” words? We have another good one for you: “Cazzata”. You do notice how this one looks a lot like the ones above, right? But in this case, it’s used as “bullshit”.
For example: Let’s say a coworker is making rumors about a friend of yours, you could say: “Cut the cazzata, Paolo; that’s not true”.
4. Idiota
This one won’t be difficult to memorize as it’s very similar to its English counterpart: “Idiot”.
For example: Imagine a friend of you betrays you, you could tell them: “You’re an idiota”.
5. Merda
This is another very common bad word, and it also means “shit”. So it’s very useful as a vulgar expression for when something goes wrong.
For example: Let’s say you hit yourself on the pinky toe, you would almost instinctively say: “Merda!” Or if you see someone crash their car: “Merda!”
It’s also used to insult someone or something. To do that you add a “di” at the beginning. For example: “Film di merda” (shitty movie).
6. Coglione
This is a vulgar word for “testicle”. So, as a swear word, use this one to insult someone that’s a jerk or a moron.
For example: “Why do you always bother the teacher? Stop being a coglione”.
7. Accidenti!
Here’s one that it’s not extremely offensive, but it’s still a swear word. “Accidenti!” is an expression for when you’re shocked. It’s like saying “damn it!”.
For example: “Accidenti! I forgot to do the homework!”
8. Vaffanculo
This is like “fuck off”, “fuck you” or “go fuck yourself”. You could also say it in its shortest way: “Fanculo”.
For example: Imagine someone insults you, you could answer with a “vaffanculo!”.
9. Stronzo / Stronza
This one means “asshole”, “jerk” or “bitch”. “Stronzo” is for men and “stronza” is for women.
For example: “Paul is a stronzo, he cheated on me”. Or “What a stronza, she slapped me”.
10. Che palle!
Literally this means “what balls”. But as an idiom it’s an expression to say that something is boring, annoying or that it sucks.
For example: “The music festival was canceled. Che palle!”
It also exists “che due palle!”. Which literally means “what two balls”. And it is like “what the heck!”.
For example: “Che due palle! They put salt in my coffee!”
11. Porca puttana
This is a strong, vulgar expression used when you’re angry. It’s like “fuck”, “fucking hell” or “for fuck’s sake”.
For example: “Porca puttana! She stole my car!”
12. Figlio di puttana!
Oh, this one sounds tough! “Figlio” is “son” and “puttana” is a whore. So, “Figlio di puttana” literally means “son of a whore”. Strong, right? It will absolutely offend anyone. It’s used like “son of a bitch”.
For example: “You lied to me! You figlio di puttana!”
13. Bastardo
This one means “bastard” and it’s super common.
For example: “Ugh, he’s such a bastardo!”
14. Porco Giuda
This is a harsh one. “Porco” is pig or pork. So, this literally means “Judas pig”. It’s clearly used to offend someone in a great manner, especially someone that’s a traitor and disloyal.
For example: “Samuel told everyone in the office my secret; he’s no longer my friend. He’s a Porco Giuda!”
15. Li mortacci tua
Ready for another one that sounds very strong? Here it is: “Li mortacci tua”. This one insults the dead relatives or loved ones of the person you’re telling this expression to. It’s like “I curse your dead ones/ancestors”.
For example: “Li mortacci tua! You really hurt me!”
Keep on Learning Useful, Real-Life Italian with Us!
Do you want more of this Italian useful for a real-life situation with native Italian speakers? Yeah, that’s the attitude! Don’t get us wrong, you do have to learn the most basic and classic parts of the language.
But you should also learn those things that are not typical of schools, but part of Italian’s lives, like swear words, idioms, and even riddles. We can help you with that.
TruFluency offers Italian language classes with native teachers. So you can be sure you’ll truly learn things that are useful in real life. Plus, you’ll learn all aspects of the language, like pronunciation, grammar, spelling, reading and listening.
What’s even cooler is our Bellieu Method in which we base all our lessons. It consists of speaking using what you’ve learned. So you can achieve language fluency. With our classes, you’ll soon be able to hold an Italian conversation like an expert. No fears, no doubts, just true fluency.
So come practice your new words with us and learn some more Italian along the way. You won’t regret it.
You can even take a two-hour trial class divided into two sessions of one hour. They’re completely online and we have flexible schedules, so you choose the one that fits your agenda the best. It only costs $59 and you’ll be sure we’re the best option for your Italian learning language journey forever.
