Let’s learn some informal Italian words

Italians use many informal words and sentences during the day. I already wrote some of these words and sentence in previous articles such as:

Six words that change meaning in informal Italian

Five Italian slang words

How to express opinions in informal Italian

Eight Italian slang expressions

Today, I’d like to add some other informal Italian words and expressions that you can try to use during the time you’ll spend in Italy.

Let’s start.

1. Botto

Botto is a word that changes its standard meaning when used in informal Italian. Informally, botto can mean: suddenly, and a lot.

Examples:

a. Tutto d’un botto si ricordò

Suddenly, he remembered

b. Mi piaci un botto/casino

I like you pretty much

2. Casino

Casino in informal Italian can mean at least three different things. It can mean a lot – in this case it’s synonym of “botto” – a lot of noise, and a mess.

Examples:

a. Mi piaci un botto/casino

I like you a pretty much

b. Non fate casino!

Don’t do all this noise! Be quiet!

c. Questa casa è un casino!

This house is a mess!

3. Cazzeggiare

Cazzeggiare is a word that can be used in informal Italian only. It means to do nothing.

Example:

Lucia: Cos’hai fatto oggi pomeriggio?

Lucia: What did you do this afternoon?

Marco: Niente di particolare, ho cazzeggiato

Marco: Nothing special, I dicked around

4. Non filare qualcuno

The informal Italian expression filare qualcuno means not to be interest in someone.

Ex: Lucia è innamorata di Paolo ma lui non la fila per niente

Lucia is in love with Paolo but he doesn’t even consider her

5. Sbroccare/sclerare

Sbroccare and sclerare are two informal Italian words that have the same meaning: to get angry.

Ex: Quando mi ha detto la notizia ho sbroccato/sono sclerato

When she told me the news, I exploded/I got really angry

6. Non t’allargare

Non t’allargare is an informal Italian expression that we say when someone is exaggerating.

Example:

Lucia: Adesso abbiamo un divano nuovo, la prossima settimana magari cambiamo la cucina, il prossimo mese la camera da letto, tra sei mesi rifacciamo il bagno e…

Lucia: Now we’ve a new sofa, maybe next week we change the kitchen, next month the bedroom, in three months we change the bathroom and…Eh, adesso non t’allargare!

Marco: Eh, adesso non t’allargare!

Marco: Eh, calm down, one thing at a time!

7. Beccarsi

Beccarsi is an informal Italian verb that means to meet.

Ex: A che ora ci becchiamo sabato?

When do we meet on Saturday?

How many of these informal Italian words and expressions did you already know? Do you know some other informal Italian words and expressions?

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