15 Untranslatable Italian Words You WISH Existed in English (+ FREE PDF)

Have you ever experienced an abbiocco after a spaghettata with friends? If you’re not sure what that means, don’t worry: it’s totally normal! Every language has words that just don’t translate neatly, capturing emotions and moments in a way that’s unique to that culture. Italian is no different. And learning the most common Italian words with no translation in English isn’t just about expanding your vocabulary; it’s about understanding concepts that don’t quite exist in our language.

In this guide, we’ll explore 15 of these untranslatable Italian words, so commonly used in everyday conversation that they’ll bring you one step closer to thinking (and feeling) like Italians do! Pronti? Iniziamo! (Ready? Let’s get started!)

But first, make sure to download your free PDF cheat-sheet, which includes all the key points we’ll cover in this guide. Just enter your email below and I’ll send it to you straight away.

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1. Abbiocco

Untranslatable Italian Words - Abbiocco You can’t say you’ve truly experienced Italy unless you’ve had an abbiocco ! This informal word perfectly describes that drowsy, sluggish state that hits after a big, hearty meal—you know, when you’re so full that the only thing you want is to find the nearest couch and nap.

In English, we might call it a “food coma,” but abbiocco has a charm of its own. It derives from biocca , meaning “broody hen,” painting the perfect picture of someone curled up, ready to doze, just like a hen nesting on her eggs! You can either say avere l’abbiocco or use the reflexive verb abbioccarsi (to get drowsy).

A: Devo aver mangiato troppo a pranzo, ho avuto un abbiocco pazzesco oggi pomeriggio! —I must have eaten too much at lunch, I had a crazy food coma this afternoon!
B: Ti capisco, io mi sono abbioccato davanti al computer mentre cercavo di lavorare! —I get you, I dozed off in front of the computer while I was trying to work!

2. Accidente

Accidente is a generic term for an illness, but it carries a deeper, somewhat ominous meaning in Italian. While it can refer to something simple like the flu or a cold, it’s often wrapped in that distinct Italian sense of worry and doom. Take the classic phrase every Italian mamma or nonna shout at their kids (of all ages): Copriti, altrimenti ti prendi un accidente! (Cover up, or else you’ll catch something!). It’s like an impending catastrophe is around the corner.

Chiudi quella finestra, non voglio prendermi un accidente !—Close that window, I don’t want to catch an illness!

Italians also love to use the word accidente in expressions of frustration or exasperation, like Gli venisse un accidente! (May an illness happen to him!), and here, the “illness” is usually a cacarella (runs, diarrhea).

3. Ammazzacaffè

No hearty Italian meal is truly complete without an ammazzacaffè , a little glass of liqueur or amaro (bitter) after your espresso. You might think it’s just an excuse for one last round of drinks, but in reality, it’s all about aiding digestion. The name itself is a mix of ammazza (meaning “to kill”) and caffè (coffee), because this post-meal liqueur “kills” the taste of coffee in your mouth.

Portando il conto, il nostro cameriere ci ha offerto un buonissimo ammazzacaffè alle erbe. —As the waiter brought the bill, he offered us a really good herbal ammazzacaffè.

Depending on where you are in Italy, you might hear different names for this tradition. In Veneto, for example, it’s called resentìn , from the dialectal verb resentare , meaning “to rinse,” because many drink their ammazzacaffè straight from the espresso cup, thus “rinsing” the traces of coffee.

4. Apericena

Apericena is an Italian tradition that sits between an aperitivo (aperitif) and a full cena (dinner). Think of it as an upgraded aperitivo where the food is hearty enough to replace dinner entirely. For just €10 or €15, you get a drink and a generous spread of delicious bites, like cured meats, mini pizzas, pasta salads, and sometimes even some regional specialties. These are usually served buffet-style or directly to your table.

Even though cena is a feminine word in Italian, apericena is generally treated as masculine, probably because the aperitivo part of the experience takes the spotlight.

Per il mio compleanno, ho organizzato un apericena con gli amici. —For my birthday, I’ve organized an apericena with friends.

5. Attaccabottoni

Untranslatable Italian Words - Attaccabottoni An attaccabottoni is a person who starts long and tedious conversations that seem to go on forever, making you feel like time is slipping away while you desperately search for a way out. It’s not just that they like to talk; they can be really annoying and persistent, literally trapping you with their words.

Che attaccabottoni quel Matteo! Ogni volta che lo incontro, vuole raccontarmi tutta la sua vita. —What a chatterbox that Matteo! Every time I meet him, he wants to tell me his whole life.

The origin of this term, which combines attaccare (to attach) and bottone (button), is thought to come from an old tailor’s practice: while sewing on buttons, tailors would often engage in small talk, leaving their customers no choice but to listen until the task was finished.

6. Cervicale

Anatomically speaking, cervicale is the Italian equivalent of “cervical,” referring to the cervical vertebrae. But in Italy, this word is more commonly used to describe one of the country’s most dreaded ailments, especially for those over 30: soffrire di cervicale (literally, “to suffer from cervicale”).

It’s a broad term that covers anything from neck pain and headaches to stiffness and general discomfort, all typically around your upper spine. The cause? Wet hair (a major mistake in Italy ) and the feared colpo d’aria (draft)!

A: Mi scoppia la testa. —My head is killing me.
B: Sarà sicuramente la cervicale, ieri c’era molto vento e sei uscita senza sciarpa! —It’s definitely a cervical pain, yesterday it was very windy and you went out without a scarf!

7. Ciofeca

Ciofeca is a colloquial term Italians often use to describe something that’s extremely unpleasant or disgusting. The word originates from an old drink once popular in Southern Italy, made by roasting and grinding acorns. Far from being a delicacy, the ciofeca became synonymous with low-quality coffee, and the word is still frequently used today when referring to a terrible drink. Want to see this word in action? Watch the classic movie I Marescialli starring Totò !

Questa nuova birra è una ciofeca, sa di candeggina! —This new beer is disgusting, it tastes like bleach!

8. Colpo d’aria

Colpo d’aria literally means a “hit of air,” but don’t be fooled by its simple translation. This is no ordinary draft! For Italians, it’s the invisible enemy that can cause tutti i mali (all kinds of health issues), from the common cold and cough to ear infections, stomachaches and, of course, the infamous cervicale!

In other words, for Italians a colpo d’aria is something to be avoided at all costs. So, standing near an open window or, heaven forbid, under a ceiling fan, is a clear sign that you’re tempting fate!

Copriti bene, altrimenti prendi un colpo d’aria! —Cover up well, otherwise you’ll catch a draft!

9. Colpo della strega

A colpo della strega (literally “witch’s blow”) is another Italian expression that can’t quite be captured by a single English word. It refers to a sudden, sharp back strain, typically caused by a quick or awkward movement. It’s the kind of pain so intense that it knocks you out, leaving you unable to move as if you’ve been cursed by some dark magic.

The origins of this term date back to medieval times, when it was believed that witches had the power to freeze men in place.

Mio papà è a letto da una settimana, gli è venuto il colpo della strega e non riesce a muoversi. —My dad has been in bed for a week, he got a back strain and can’t move.

10. Menefreghista

Menefreghista is widely used in informal speech to describe someone who seems to not care at all about anything, who is blasé, or unconcerned. The latest drama, the global issues, someone else’s feelings—it’s all the same to them.

It’s not about being laid back. It carries a more negative tone than simply “not caring.” Menefreghista refers to a mindset of total disregard, implying selfishness and a complete lack of consideration for the people and events around them. The term comes from the Italian phrase me ne frego , which precisely means “I couldn’t care less.”

Quando siete diventati così menefreghisti? Pensate solo a voi stessi! —When did you all become so selfish? You only think about yourselves!

11. Meriggiare

Meriggiare is one of those words that feels more literary than something you’d use in everyday conversation. However, it’s worth learning because it captures something so quintessentially Italian: that peaceful, almost meditative moment when everything slows down during the hottest part of the day.

The word comes from the Latin meridiare , which means “to rest in the midday,” and you can almost hear its echo in pomeriggio , the Italian word for afternoon. If you ask an Italian about meriggiare , they might immediately think of Meriggiare pallido e assorto by Eugenio Montale, one of those famous Italian poems that students often have to recite by heart in school!

Quel paesaggio tranquillo invitava a meriggiare e godersi il silenzio. —That peaceful landscape invites us to rest and enjoy the silence.

12. Pantofolaio

Untranslatable Italian Words - Pantofolaio In English, pantofolaio is often translated as “couch potato,” but that doesn’t quite capture its full meaning. A pantofolaio isn’t just someone who spends their time watching TV; it’s a person who fully embraces a quiet, home-centered lifestyle. Think of someone who loves routine and finds pure joy in staying in rather than going out, avoiding anything that might disturb their peace.

Sei proprio un pantofolaio, non esci mai. Dai, vieni con noi in pizzeria stasera! —You’re such a couch potato, you never go out! Come on, come with us to the pizzeria tonight.

The word comes from pantofola , the soft house slipper—and that says it all! Just like a cozy pair of slippers, a pantofolaio enjoys warmth and relaxation. This idea ties in beautifully with the Italian concept of il dolce far niente —the sweet art of doing nothing.

13. Spaghettata

Among the Italian words that don’t have a direct translation in English, spaghettata is one that truly reflects what food means in the local culture. At its core, it simply means sharing a plate of spaghetti with friends, but in reality, it’s so much more than that.

A spaghettata is typically a spontaneous and completely informal meal. It’s not really about the spaghetti itself; it’s about the joy of gathering together and appreciating the simple pleasure of good food and good company. And what if hunger strikes late at night? Italians have the perfect solution: una spaghettata di mezzanotte —a midnight feast often whipped up before or after an evening out with friends.

Dopo la festa, sono venuti tutti da me per una spaghettata. —After the party, everyone came to my place for a casual dinner.

14. Tavola

In Italian, the standard word for table is tavolo , but the feminine form, tavola , carries a deeper meaning, especially when it comes to food. More than just a piece of furniture, tavola refers to a table that’s been set and ready for a meal, a place where people come together to eat and share moments.

You’ll often hear Italians call out A tavola! : it literally means “To the table!” but it’s more than just an announcement that a meal is about to be served. It’s an invitation to pause what everyone is doing, gather, and enjoy not just the food, but also the company and conversation that make mealtimes in Italy so special.

Bambini è ora di mangiare, a tavola! —Kids, it’s time to eat, come to the table!

15. Umarell

Untranslatable Italian Words - Umarell The word umarell is a recent addition to Italian dictionaries, officially recognized only in 2021, but the character it describes has existed for generations. An umarell is an elderly man who spends his time observing construction sites, often standing with his hands clasped behind his back and distributing free (and unsolicited) advice to the workers.

This scene is so common across Italy that umarells have become a recognizable feature in the urban landscape. And although this term is now part of standard Italian, it originally came from the local dialect of Bologna for “little man” – omarello or ometto . The city even has a place dedicated to these special observers: Piazzetta degli Umarells !

Mio nonno è proprio un umarell, sempre in giro con gli amici a curiosare tra i cantieri! —My grandfather is a real umarell , always around with his friends, looking into construction sites!

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15 Untranslatable Italian Words You WISH Existed in English - FREE Cheat-Sheet

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