If you’ve ever visited Italy or chatted with native Italian speakers, you know that Italian slang is everywhere. From north to south, Italians pepper their everyday language with funny, colorful, and sometimes downright perplexing expressions. Want to sound more like a local and less like you just memorized verb tables? This guide is for you.
In the next few minutes, you’ll dive into 100 must-know Italian slang words and phrases, neatly categorized for easy reference. Whether you’re traveling through Rome, relaxing in Florence, or studying abroad in Milan, these expressions will not only help you communicate effectively but also give you a taste of the vibrant Italian culture.
Why Learn Italian Slang?
- Connect with Locals
Using formal phrases from a textbook might work in a pinch, but slang expressions create instant rapport. Italians appreciate the effort when someone tries to speak their language in a more spontaneous way. - Understand Pop Culture
Italian films, TV shows, and YouTube channels often include slang. Mastering these terms makes watching that latest Italian Netflix series more enjoyable. - Cultural Insight
Slang reflects Italy’s regional diversity and cultural nuances. From friendly banter to light sarcasm, slang reveals a lot about Italian perspectives on life—usually laid-back, often humorous, and always expressive.
Fun Fact: A survey by Treccani (a prominent Italian cultural institute) found that 80% of Italians incorporate at least some slang in daily conversation. So, jump on the bandwagon!
Quick Tips for Using Italian Slang Confidently
- Know Your Setting: Slang is more acceptable among friends or in relaxed environments. In formal settings—like a job interview—stick to standard Italian.
- Mind the Region: Slang can vary significantly between Tuscany, Rome, Milan, and Naples. What’s common in one city might sound odd in another.
- Embrace Mistakes: If you mix things up, most Italians will find it charming and correct you gently. It’s all part of the learning process.
- Watch, Listen, Repeat: Follow Italian YouTubers or watch Italian films. Listen closely to how they use slang. Mimic their intonation and context.
Category 1 – Basic Greetings & Casual Expressions
- Ciao
- Meaning: “Hi”/“Bye”
- Usage: The most famous Italian greeting. Use it among friends or in informal situations.
- Salve
- Meaning: A somewhat formal “Hello”
- Usage: Polite but not overly stiff. Perfect for acquaintances.
- Bella! / Bello!
- Meaning: “Hey beautiful!” or “Hey man!”
- Usage: Casual greeting among close friends; “Bella, come stai?” = “Hey, how’re you doing?”
- Che figata!
- Meaning: “How cool!”
- Usage: Express excitement or admiration about something trendy or awesome.
- Come butta?
- Meaning: “How’s it going?” (literally “How’s it throwing?”)
- Usage: Informal, typical among youth or in casual settings.
- Ueilà
- Meaning: “Hey there!”
- Usage: Surprised greeting, often used in northern regions when you run into someone unexpectedly.
- Ehi
- Meaning: “Hey” (similar to the English “Hey”)
- Usage: Friendly call-out, e.g., “Ehi, tutto bene?”
- Figurati
- Meaning: “No worries,” “Don’t mention it”
- Usage: Common response to “Grazie.” Also used to say “Imagine!” or “Yeah, right!” ironically.
- Ci sta
- Meaning: “That works,” “It makes sense,” “It’s acceptable”
- Usage: “Vuoi uscire stasera?” – “Ci sta!” = “Wanna go out tonight?” – “Sure, that works!”
- Figo / Fica
- Meaning: “Cool,” “Attractive” (can be crude if used incorrectly)
- Usage: “È un’idea figa!” = “That’s a cool idea!” (Note: fica can have a more vulgar connotation in some contexts.)
Category 2 – People & Relationships
- Amico/a
- Meaning: “Friend”
- Usage: “Vieni con me, amico?” = “You coming with me, buddy?”
- Tipo / Tipa
- Meaning: “Guy / Girl,” “Dude / Chick”
- Usage: “Quel tipo è strano.” = “That guy is weird.”
- Raga
- Meaning: Short for “ragazzi,” meaning “guys” or “folks”
- Usage: “Oh raga, stasera che facciamo?” = “Hey guys, what are we doing tonight?”
- Zio / Zia
- Meaning: Literally “uncle” / “aunt,” but used as “dude” / “girl”
- Usage: Common in some regions: “Che fai, zio?” = “What’re you up to, dude?”
- Boh
- Meaning: “I don’t know,” “Meh”
- Usage: Expresses uncertainty or indifference: “Boh, non saprei.” = “Meh, I’m not sure.”
- Compare
- Meaning: “Pal,” “Buddy” (southern dialect)
- Usage: “Tutto a posto, compare?” = “All good, buddy?”
- Mamma mia
- Meaning: “Oh my goodness!” or “Wow!”
- Usage: Express surprise, frustration, or excitement.
- Amico di penna
- Meaning: “Pen pal,” used jokingly for online-only friends
- Usage: “L’ho conosciuto online, è il mio amico di penna.” = “I met him online; he’s my pen pal.”
- Fratello / Sorella
- Meaning: “Brother / Sister” (sometimes used as slang for close friends)
- Usage: “Tutto bene, fratello?” = “Everything good, brother?”
- Il/La Partner
- Meaning: “Partner,” used informally for boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse
- Usage: “Esco con il mio partner stasera.” = “I’m going out with my partner tonight.”
Category 3 – Food & Drink Slang
- Spaghettata
- Meaning: A late-night spaghetti meal with friends
- Usage: “Dopo la festa facciamo una spaghettata?” = “After the party, shall we make a spaghetti meal?”
- Apericena
- Meaning: Aperitivo + Cena (dinner), a popular social event combining drinks and buffet
- Usage: “Stasera apericena in centro?” = “How about an apericena in the city center tonight?”
- Cazzata
- Meaning: Literally “nonsense,” but often used to refer to junk food or silly things
- Usage: “Basta con queste cazzate!” = “Enough with this junk (or nonsense)!”
- Bohémien
- Meaning: A stylish café or bar that’s artsy or alternative
- Usage: “Ci vediamo al bar bohémien vicino alla stazione?” = “Shall we meet at the artsy bar near the station?”
- Chicca
- Meaning: A “gem,” something small and special (like a tasty treat or a hidden café)
- Usage: “Ho scoperto una chicca di ristorante!” = “I found a gem of a restaurant!”
- Farsi un panino
- Meaning: “Make yourself a sandwich,” or “grab a quick bite”
- Usage: “Ho fame, vado a farmi un panino.” = “I’m hungry, I’ll go make a sandwich.”
- Golosone
- Meaning: A “sweet tooth” or someone who loves tasty treats
- Usage: “Sei un golosone, sempre a cercare dolci!” = “You’re a sweet tooth, always looking for desserts!”
- Minestra riscaldata
- Meaning: “Reheated soup,” used figuratively for leftover or repeated relationships
- Usage: “Tornare con l’ex è solo minestra riscaldata!” = “Getting back with your ex is just reheated soup!”
- Fare una bevuta
- Meaning: “Have some drinks,” often in a relaxed or party context
- Usage: “Stasera facciamo una bevuta al pub?” = “Shall we go have some drinks at the pub tonight?”
- Magnata
- Meaning: A big feast or “chow-down”
- Usage: “Dopo la partita ci facciamo una magnata di pizza.” = “After the match, we’ll chow down on some pizza.”
Category 4 – Expressions of Mood and Emotion
- Sbirciare
- Meaning: To peek or check someone out (slang usage)
- Usage: “L’ho visto sbirciare la ragazza al bar.” = “I saw him checking out the girl at the bar.”
- Rosicare
- Meaning: “To be envious,” “to gnaw inside”
- Usage: “Rosico quando vedo le foto delle vacanze altrui.” = “I feel envious when I see other people’s vacation photos.”
- Scialla
- Meaning: “Take it easy,” “Chill!”
- Usage: Popular among young Italians. “Scialla, non stressarti!” = “Chill, don’t stress!”
- Menare il can per l’aia
- Meaning: “Beat around the bush,” literally “leading the dog around the yard”
- Usage: “Basta menare il can per l’aia, di’ la verità.” = “Stop beating around the bush; tell the truth.”
- Essere giù
- Meaning: “To be down,” sad, or upset
- Usage: “Oggi sono un po’ giù di morale.” = “Today I’m feeling a bit down.”
- Che palle!
- Meaning: “What a drag!” or “This sucks!”
- Usage: “Devo lavorare anche sabato, che palle!” = “I have to work Saturday too—this sucks!”
- Ridere a crepapelle
- Meaning: “Laugh out loud,” literally “laugh until your skin cracks”
- Usage: “Quel comico mi fa ridere a crepapelle!” = “That comedian makes me laugh my head off!”
- Sfigato/a
- Meaning: “Loser,” “unlucky person”
- Usage: “Non fare il sfigato, vieni alla festa!” = “Don’t be a loser, come to the party!”
- Gufare
- Meaning: “To jinx,” “to bring bad luck by predicting it”
- Usage: “Non gufare, altrimenti perdiamo la partita!” = “Don’t jinx it, or we’ll lose the game!”
- Goduria
- Meaning: “Delight,” “great pleasure”
- Usage: “Mangiare il tiramisù è una goduria!” = “Eating tiramisù is pure delight!”
Category 5 – Love & Romance
- Ti amo
- Meaning: “I love you” (romantic context)
- Usage: Reserved for deep romantic love in Italian.
- Ti voglio bene
- Meaning: “I care about you / I love you,” but less intense than ti amo
- Usage: For family members or close friends.
- Cotta
- Meaning: A “crush”
- Usage: “Ho una cotta per il vicino di casa.” = “I have a crush on my neighbor.”
- Dai, spiccati!
- Meaning: “Go for it!” or “Take the leap!” in romantic or bold situations
- Usage: Encouraging a friend to confess their feelings.
- Fare il filo
- Meaning: “To flirt with someone”
- Usage: “Sta facendo il filo a quella ragazza da settimane.” = “He’s been flirting with that girl for weeks.”
- Beccarsi
- Meaning: “To meet up” or “to hook up” (context-dependent)
- Usage: “Ci becchiamo dopo cena?” = “Shall we meet up after dinner?”
- Farsi sotto
- Meaning: “To make a move” in dating or romantic pursuit
- Usage: “Se ti piace, fatti sotto!” = “If you like her, make your move!”
- Stalkerare
- Meaning: Slang for “to stalk” (someone on social media)
- Usage: “Ho stalkerato il suo profilo Instagram…” = “I stalked his Instagram profile…”
- Prendersi una sbandata
- Meaning: “To fall head over heels”
- Usage: “Ho preso una sbandata per lui!” = “I’ve fallen head over heels for him!”
- Conquistare
- Meaning: “To win someone’s heart,” literally “to conquer”
- Usage: “Vuole conquistare la sua ex con un gesto romantico.” = “He wants to win back his ex with a romantic gesture.”
Category 6 – Work & School Slang
- Darsi da fare
- Meaning: “To hustle,” “to put in effort”
- Usage: “Se vuoi superare l’esame, devi darti da fare.” = “If you want to pass the exam, you have to hustle.”
- Spaccarsi la schiena
- Meaning: “To break your back,” working very hard
- Usage: “Mi sto spaccando la schiena per questo progetto.” = “I’m breaking my back for this project.”
- Scaldare la sedia
- Meaning: “To warm the chair,” implying doing nothing at work/school
- Usage: “Non voglio solo scaldare la sedia, voglio fare carriera.” = “I don’t want to just sit around; I want to advance my career.”
- Fare scena muta
- Meaning: “Go silent,” especially during an exam or presentation
- Usage: “All’orale ho fatto scena muta, ero troppo nervoso.” = “I went silent during the oral exam; I was too nervous.”
- Fare un casino
- Meaning: “To create a mess” or “big fuss”
- Usage: “Questa relazione contabile è un casino.” = “This financial report is a mess.”
- Mettersi sotto
- Meaning: “To buckle down,” “get serious about work or study”
- Usage: “Mi metto sotto con i libri fino agli esami.” = “I’m buckling down with my books until exams.”
- Bucare una lezione
- Meaning: “To skip a class,” literally “to poke a hole in a lesson”
- Usage: “Ho bucato la lezione di matematica.” = “I skipped math class.”
- Rompere le scatole
- Meaning: “To bother someone,” literally “break the boxes”
- Usage: “Il prof ci rompe sempre le scatole per i compiti.” = “The teacher always nags us about homework.”
- Fare un salto di qualità
- Meaning: “To make a quality leap,” “improve significantly”
- Usage: “Se vuoi fare un salto di qualità, devi studiare all’estero.” = “If you want to step up your game, you need to study abroad.”
- Essere fuori corso
- Meaning: “To be behind schedule in college,” literally “off track”
- Usage: “Sono fuori corso di un anno.” = “I’m a year behind in my studies.”
Category 7 – Tech & Internet Slang
- Postare
- Meaning: “To post” (on social media)
- Usage: “Hai postato quella foto su Instagram?” = “Did you post that photo on Instagram?”
- Taggare
- Meaning: “To tag” someone in a post
- Usage: “Taggami nelle foto della vacanza!” = “Tag me in the vacation photos!”
- Farsi una storia
- Meaning: “To post a story” on Instagram or Facebook
- Usage: “Mi faccio una storia veloce di questo tramonto.” = “I’m quickly posting a story about this sunset.”
- Scrollare
- Meaning: “To scroll” through a feed
- Usage: “Ho scrollato due ore su TikTok e non me ne sono accorto.” = “I scrolled through TikTok for two hours without noticing.”
- Spoilerare
- Meaning: “To spoil” (TV shows, movies)
- Usage: “Non spoilerare il finale di quella serie, ti prego!” = “Don’t spoil the ending of that series, please!”
- Influencer
- Meaning: Same as English, someone influential on social media
- Usage: “Vuole diventare influencer su YouTube.” = “He wants to become a YouTube influencer.”
- Likare
- Meaning: “To like” a post
- Usage: “Mi hai likato la foto?” = “Did you like my photo?”
- Bloccare
- Meaning: “To block” someone on social media
- Usage: “Lui mi stava stalkerando, così l’ho bloccato.” = “He was stalking me, so I blocked him.”
- PM-mare
- Meaning: “To send a private message,” from “PM” (Private Message) + “-are” (Italian verb ending)
- Usage: “Ti PM-mo dopo, così ne parliamo in privato.” = “I’ll PM you later so we can talk in private.”
- Spammare
- Meaning: “To spam” (send repetitive, annoying messages)
- Usage: “Non spammare il gruppo con link inutili!” = “Don’t spam the group with useless links!”
Category 8 – Travel & Transportation
- Andare a piedi
- Meaning: “To go by foot,” used casually
- Usage: “È vicino, ci andiamo a piedi?” = “It’s close; shall we walk?”
- Prendere il bus
- Meaning: “To take the bus,” often shortened to “prendere il pullman” in some regions
- Usage: “Devo prendere il bus per andare in centro.” = “I need to take the bus to go downtown.”
- Farsi un giro
- Meaning: “To take a stroll,” “go for a ride”
- Usage: “Vuoi farti un giro in motorino?” = “Want to go for a scooter ride?”
- Scarrozzare
- Meaning: “To drive someone around” (often implies a favor)
- Usage: “Mi scarrozzi tu fino alla stazione?” = “Can you drive me to the station?”
- Fare autostop
- Meaning: “To hitchhike,” though not super common in Italy
- Usage: “Non ho soldi, dovrò fare autostop.” = “I have no money, so I’ll have to hitchhike.”
- Fregatura
- Meaning: “A rip-off,” “a scam”
- Usage: “Il tassista mi ha fatto una fregatura!” = “The taxi driver ripped me off!”
- Car sharing
- Meaning: “Car sharing,” borrowed from English, popular in Italian cities
- Usage: “Userò il car sharing per andare all’appuntamento.” = “I’ll use a car-sharing service to get to my appointment.”
- Schianto
- Meaning: Literally “crash,” but used for something impressive or a car that’s very cool
- Usage: “La sua macchina è uno schianto.” = “His car is a knockout.”
- Incasinato
- Meaning: “All messed up,” can refer to chaotic traffic or situations
- Usage: “Il traffico è incasinato stamattina.” = “Traffic is a mess this morning.”
- Camminare in mezzo alla strada
- Meaning: “Walking in the middle of the road,” used metaphorically to say you’re being reckless
- Usage: “Non fare l’incauto, è come camminare in mezzo alla strada!” = “Don’t be so careless; it’s like walking in the middle of the road!”
Category 9 – Regional Gems
- Babbo (Tuscany)
- Meaning: “Dad,” but also can imply “simpleton” in other regions
- Usage: “Vado a cena con il mio babbo.” = “I’m going to have dinner with my dad.”
- Uagliò (Naples)
- Meaning: “Dude,” “Buddy”
- Usage: “Uagliò, che si dice?” = “Hey buddy, what’s up?”
- Ciccio (Rome)
- Meaning: “Dude” or “pal,” literally “chubby”
- Usage: “Aò, ciccio, damme una mano!” = “Hey pal, give me a hand!”
- Bomba (Northern Italy)
- Meaning: “Cool,” “Awesome”
- Usage: “Questo concerto è una bomba!” = “This concert is awesome!”
- Fijo / Fija (Rome)
- Meaning: “Son / Daughter,” used also as a friendly address
- Usage: “Aho, fijo mio, esagera di meno!” = “Hey son, don’t overdo it!”
- Gomorra (Campania)
- Meaning: Known from the TV series, but also slang for messy or dangerous situations
- Usage: “Che gomorra qui, è tutto un casino!” = “What chaos here—it’s a real mess!”
- Fiha (Dialects in southern regions)
- Meaning: Variation of “Figa,” can be obscene or just mean “Wow, hot!”
- Usage: Use with caution as it can be very vulgar.
- Guagliuncello (Naples)
- Meaning: “Kid,” affectionate diminutive for a boy
- Usage: “Vieni qua, guagliuncello, non fare storie.” = “Come here, kid, don’t fuss.”
- Busciardo (Sicily)
- Meaning: “Liar,” “cheater”
- Usage: “Non fidarti di lui, è un busciardo.” = “Don’t trust him; he’s a liar.”
- Tranquillo (National, but widely used)
- Meaning: “Relax,” “It’s all good”
- Usage: “Tranquillo, risolviamo tutto.” = “Relax, we’ll figure it all out.”
Category 10 – Random but Essential Expressions
- Fare la figura del cioccolataio
- Meaning: “To make a fool of oneself,” literally “to look like a chocolate-maker”
- Usage: “Se parli senza sapere, fai la figura del cioccolataio.” = “If you talk without knowing, you’ll make a fool of yourself.”
- Andare in bianco
- Meaning: “To strike out,” especially romantically
- Usage: “È andato in bianco con quella ragazza.” = “He struck out with that girl.”
- Campa cavallo
- Meaning: “Yeah, keep dreaming,” literally “Wait for the horse to grow up”
- Usage: “Vuoi vincere la lotteria? Campa cavallo!” = “You want to win the lottery? Yeah, keep dreaming!”
- Mettere le corna
- Meaning: “To cheat on someone,” literally “to put horns on someone”
- Usage: “Lo ha tradito, gli ha messo le corna!” = “She cheated on him!”
- Avere le fette di salame sugli occhi
- Meaning: “To have salami slices over your eyes,” i.e., to be oblivious
- Usage: “Non vedi che non ti ama? Hai le fette di salame sugli occhi!” = “Don’t you see she doesn’t love you? You’re completely oblivious!”
- Cadere dalle nuvole
- Meaning: “To be caught off guard,” literally “to fall from the clouds”
- Usage: “Quando l’ha saputo, è caduto dalle nuvole.” = “When he found out, he was totally shocked.”
- A fagiolo
- Meaning: “Just right,” “Spot on,” literally “like a bean”
- Usage: “Il tuo commento cade a fagiolo.” = “Your comment is spot on.”
- In bocca al lupo
- Meaning: “Good luck,” literally “in the wolf’s mouth”
- Usage: The correct response is usually “Crepi (il lupo)!” = “May the wolf die!”
- Acqua in bocca
- Meaning: “Keep it secret,” literally “water in your mouth”
- Usage: “Questo è un segreto, acqua in bocca!” = “This is a secret—keep it to yourself!”
- Buonanotte al secchio
- Meaning: “That’s it, we’re done here,” literally “Goodnight to the bucket”
- Usage: “Se il treno è cancellato, buonanotte al secchio, tocca restare qui.” = “If the train’s canceled, that’s it; we have to stay here.”
Conclusion – Level Up Your Italian Slang Game
Complimenti! You’ve just explored 100 essential Italian slang expressions to spice up your everyday conversations. Remember, slang is the lifeblood of a language—it’s how people express humor, frustration, excitement, and affection in a vivid, immediate way. By adding even a few of these phrases to your arsenal, you’ll sound more like a local and less like a language textbook.
Make It Stick
- Practice Out Loud: Say these expressions in front of a mirror or to a friend. The more you use them, the more natural they’ll feel.
- Watch Italian Media: Check out Italian movies, TV series, or YouTube channels. Listen for slang words in context and mimic their intonation.
- Stay Curious: Language is always evolving. Follow contemporary Italian influencers on Instagram or TikTok to catch the latest slang trends.
Pro Tip: Looking for more structured lessons? Explore sites like Loecsen or Italki for one-on-one language practice. The combination of formal study and slang immersion will make your Italian unstoppable.
Your Turn – Call to Action
Which of these slang terms do you find most intriguing? Have you heard any strano or bellissimo expressions in Italy that aren’t on this list? Leave a comment below and share this guide with your fellow Italian learners. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more insider language tips and cultural insights.
Whether you’re exploring the cobblestone streets of Rome or cooking up an Italian feast at home, these slang words bring you closer to the vero spirito italiano—the true Italian spirit. So go ahead, try them out, and watch your conversations blossom!
Buona fortuna (good luck) e in bocca al lupo (break a leg) with your Italian slang journey!
See Also: German Slang Guide: 100 Essential Terms to Talk Like a Berliner
