Uffa! Do I really have to write an article about funny Italian slang words? Che noia (“how boring” – but I’m kidding!). Italian is full of fun and funny slang words and if you use them, you will sound more like a natural speaker.
Forza (“come on”), let’s take a look.
Why Should I Use Italian Slang?
Slang is informal language used by a group of interconnected people. Native Italian speakers use slang on a daily basis, just like native English speakers do. It is so much a part of the language that they (just like we) don’t even realize they are using slang much of the time!
If you learn to use a bit of Italian slang, you can sound more like a native speaker (within reason – don’t go crazy with it or you’ll sound a little cuckoo, to use some English slang). You may even find that you fit in better with Italians, because slang is used in every language as a way to sound like “one of the gang.”
Takeaway: Italian slang can make your speech sound more natural.
50 Funny Italian Slang Words
Here are 50 funny Italian slang words separated into four categories, so you can find a slang term for every occasion!
Italian Slang Greetings
1. buondì – Good morning
A short, casual way to greet friends and colleagues.
2. Com’è? – What’s up?
Be careful because this one is translated literally as “how is it?” but it’s really more like “how’s it going?”
3. Come va? – How’s it going?
Technically two words, but another way to greet someone.
4. ehi – hey
A way to get someone’s attention.
Italian Slang for Describing People
5. Figo – cool
This one can be used for a person, place or thing opposed to an activity or experience.
6. rompiscatole – a pain in the butt
The most polite, playful way to say someone or something is annoying.
7. tipo/tipa – guy/chick
Usually used to describe someone you don’t know, like “that girl over there.”
8. cucciolo / cucciola – sweetheart, cutie
A playful nickname meaning “puppy,” often used between couples and common in cute, romantic phrases related to “I love you in Italian.”
9. chicca – an interesting person
Someone who attracts a lot of attention.
10. raga – friends
Short for “ragazzi.”
11. pazzesco – crazy
An adjective used for both people and situations that are a bit insane.
12. sfigato – loser
An insult, not someone who lost a game.
13. ciccione – an overweight person
This one is pretty offensive, so maybe don’t use it.
Common Italian Exclamations and Filler Words
14 boh! – Who knows?/I don’t know
Have no clue how to answer a question? Just say boh!
15. Beh – Well
A filler word, used like Beh, andiamo? (Well, should we go?)
16. Che figata! – cool, awesome, great (for an activity or experience)
Enthusiastic response that equates to “How cool!”
17. scialla – chill, relax
Say this to your friend when they need to take it down a notch.
18. Magari! – I wish!
Used as an exclamative response. For example: “Hai vinto la lotteria?” “Magari!” (“Did you win the lottery?” “I wish!”)
19. piantala – stop it/cut it out
Say this to your child when they throw a tantrum at the store, for example.
20. Eh? – What (did you say)?
More of a sound than a word, but used often, either when the listener didn’t hear something or when they can’t believe their ears.
21. Mizzica! – Wow!
My personal favorite exclamation from the Sicilian dialect. Think of it like, “holy cow!”
22. Uffa – what a drag, aww man
A whiny word, often used by children when they don’t get their way, or by an adult when something doesn’t go the way they want.
23. mah – who knows?
A bit like “boh,” but sounds more annoyed.
24. Che schifo – How disgusting
To be used when something grosses you out.
25. Madonna! – Oh, Mary!
Like “Oh my God,” but with Mary instead.
26. Figurati! – Don’t mention it!
A good response to “Grazie.”
27. forza – Come on/Let’s go/You can do it
Literally means “strength,” but used to encourage people to do something.
28. cioè – used as a filler word
In this situation, it is used like “like” in pauses or to explain something better.
29. Vabbè – Fine, whatever, okay then
Used to show disbelief; you just say it to accept what the other person says so they’ll stop talking (usually passive aggressive).
Swearwords and Almost Swearwords
30. mannaggia – dang it
A polite way to say “damn it.”
31. accidenti – damn it/darn it
A bit closer to a real curse word than mannaggia, but still used in front of kids.
32. cavolo – crap, darn
“Che cavolo” also means “what the heck?,” but neither is a literal translation because “cavolo” literally means “cabbage.”
33. stronzo – a rude or bad person, asshole
Literally “stronzo” is a large pile of feces, but it is more often used for people who cut you off in traffic.
34. cazzeggiare – to waste time, to do nothing, to screw around
Could also be equivalent to the English slang “piddle around,” but more closely related to “f—k around.”
35. Che palle! – What a pain!
A stronger way to say that something is really annoying.
36. incazzarsi – to get angry
Not exactly a bad word, but not the most polite way to say someone is mad.
37. sbronzarsi – to get drunk
Something college kids often do on the weekend.
Everyday Italian Descriptive Slang
38. un sacco – a lot
Lui ha un sacco di soldi = He has a lot of money.
39. allucinante – unbelievable
Shocking, whether in a great way or a terrible way.
40. fregarsene – to not care about anything
Fun grammar fact: This one is a pronominal verb, which contains both a pronoun for the person who doesn’t care and the thing they are not caring about.
41. scoppiato – to be exhausted, especially mentally
Similar to the British “knackered” or American “pooped.”
42. al volo – to do something quickly
Literally, “on the fly.”
43. liscio – smooth
Easy, free of problems.
44. chillare – to chill, relax
This one is “Ital-English,” because it is taken from the English slang word “chill.”.
45. casino – chaos
Fare un casino = to make confusion or a mess
46. roba – stuff
Usually a collection of miscellaneous things.
47. chinotto – hickey
Also an Italian soft drink.
48. bordello – mess, chaos
This one literally means “brothel,” but is used figuratively here.
49. sbirro – cop
How the cool (rude) kids refer to a policeman.
50. sbavare – to be really attracted to someone
Literally more like “to drool” over them.
FAQs
Is it rude to use funny Italian slang words in conversation?
As in every language, you should always keep in mind who you are talking to and what their mood is. While it’s fine to use Italian slang around your friends, using it in a professional setting or in front of your grandmother isn’t usually the most polite choice!
Do Italians use a lot of slang words?
Yes! Every language has slang, and Italian is no exception. These words are usually used to shorten a phrase or to convey meaning in a different, funnier, or cleaner way, and are used on a daily basis by most Italians.
Final Takeaway
Italian, like all languages, has some pretty funny slang words and phrases. Use them to sound more natural when speaking and see some in action with Jolii.ai’s library of resources.
