accusato
/ak.kuˈza.to/masculine
The English word 'accused' is translated into Italian as accusato.
The term accusato functions as a noun meaning 'defendant' or as an adjective meaning 'having been accused'. When specifying the crime, accusato is followed by the preposition di (accused of).
Meaning: defendant (noun)
Which one should you use?
While accusato refers to someone who has been accused, the more formal legal term for a defendant in a criminal trial is imputato.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes depending on the gender and number of the people being referred to. Use accusata for a female defendant, accusati for a group of male defendants or a mixed-gender group and accusate for a group of female defendants.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ak.kuˈza.to/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- The verb accusare can also be used for physical sensations. For example, accusare la fatica means to start feeling the effects of tiredness or exhaustion.
- In an Italian courtroom, the transition from accusato to imputato marks a critical legal shift. A person is only called an imputato after a judge decides there is enough evidence to actually proceed to trial.
- While accusato refers to the person, the act of accusing someone in a formal legal context is called contestazione. This word literally means 'contesting' or 'challenging' a fact.
Examples in context
- Era accusato di furto.He was accused of theft.This sentence is useful for showing how to use accusato with the preposition di to express being accused of theft.Tatoeba #5511354 by Guybrush88, translation #292330 by CK
- È accusato di omicidio.He is accused of murder.This sentence is useful for showing how to use accusato to express being accused of murder in the present tense.Tatoeba #12899643 by Guybrush88, translation #296963 by CM
- Fu accusato di omicidio.He was accused of murder.This sentence is useful for showing how to use accusato to express being accused of murder in the past tense.Tatoeba #616121 by rado, translation #296957 by CK
- Il signor Rossi è stato accusato di furto ed è attualmente l'imputato principale del processo.Mr. Rossi has been accused of theft and is currently the main defendant in the trial.
- Dopo un'attenta indagine, la polizia ha identificato l'inculpato del crimine violento.After a thorough investigation, the police identified the accused of the violent crime.
- Avete sentito? Luca è l'imputato di cui parlavano in televisione!Did you hear? Luca is the accused they were talking about on TV!
- 88 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Francesco are discussing a crime news report on TV.
- SofiaL'accusato è in prigione?Is the accused in prison?
- FrancescoSì, l'accusato è ancora in custodia.Yes, the accused is still in custody.
- SofiaFrancesco, l'accusato ha un avvocato?Francesco, does the accused have a lawyer?
- FrancescoSì, l'avvocato sta aiutando l'accusato.Yes, the lawyer is helping the accused.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “accused” translations and entries accusato, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
