How to express opinions in informal Italian

Expressing opinions is one of the first things we learn when we’re children. At first, we express opinions with gestures or facial expressions. Then, we learn to say I like it or I don’t like it, and while growing up we learn to build more complex opinions.

But how to express opinions in informal Italian?

In this article, I explain some sentences you can use.

But first, let’s see some standard Italian expressions that can be used to present an opinion.

HOW TO PRESENT AN OPINION IN STANDARD ITALIAN

Penso che -> I think that
Credo che -> I believe that
Secondo me -> In my opinion
Per me -> I think
Trovo che -> I think that/I find
A mio parere -> In my opinion
Sono convinto che -> I’m convinced that

Let’s now see how to express opinions in informal Italian.

***Disclaimer: In the following paragraphs I’m going to use also some swear words, so if you’re sensitive to this material, you may want to skip it.***

HOW TO EXPRESS OPINIONS IN INFORMAL ITALIAN

There are many ways to express opinions in informal Italian. Obviusly, what you say depends on the context.

So, now imagine to be in a mall. A product grabs your attention. You approach to have a better look at it. You like it and decide to buy it.

But when you’re at home and can actually try it, you discover that the battery goes low too soon, the material is not as good as you thought and so on. In short you don’t like it any more.

A month later, a friend of yours asks you an opinion about that same product.

Now, here’s some examples of what you can say to express your distaste in informal Italian:

Expressing distaste for a product in informal Italian

E’ una cagata – E’ una merda
These two expressions mean that something is crap. Literally, they all mean it’s a shit.
E’ una ciofeca
Also this expression means that something is crap. Literally, it means it’s a drink with a really bad taste.
Fa schifo
It means it sucks. Literally it means it’s disgusting.
E’ una patacca
It means that something is a piece of junk. Literally it can mean it’s a farthing.
E’ una ciulata
It means that an object is a con.

Now, instead, imagine that the product you have bought worked perfectly. So, when talking to your friend you express your appreciation for the product.

Here’s some ways to say you really like something in informal Italian:

Expressing appreciation for a product in informal Italian

E’ una figata
It means that something is cool.
E’ una bomba
It means that an object is killer, that is really impressive and works really well. Literally it means it’s a bomb.
E’ da paura
It means that something is wicked cool. Literally, it means it’s of fear.
E’ da urlo
It means that an object is terrific. Literally, it means it’s of scream.

These expressions used to express opinions in informal Italian can also be used alone, and generally they are, but they can also be used together with Italian expressions used to present an opinion.

Let’s see some examples:

a. Penso che quel computer sia una bomba
I think that computer is killer
b. Credo che quello schermo faccia schifo
I believe that screen sucks
c. Secondo me quel mouse è una patacca
in my opinion that mouse is a piece of junk
d. Per me quel microfono è da paura
I thik that microphone is wicked cool
e. Trovo che quelle cuffie siano da urlo
I think that those headphones are terrific
f. A mio parere quel portatile è una figata
in my opinion that laptop is cool
g. Sono convinto che quella tastiera sia una cagata
I’m convinced that that keyboard is crap

Did you already know all these ways to express opinions in informal Italian?
Do you know some other expressions?

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Credits

Original image by cocoparisienne