Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| fastidioso | /fas.tiˈdjo.zo/ /fas.tiˈdjo.so/ |
| seccante | |
| irritante | /ir.riˈtan.te/ |
The words used to describe something or someone that causes irritation or annoyance depend on the specific nuance of the situation. While fastidioso is the most versatile and common choice, you might use seccante if you want to emphasize that something is tedious, tiresome or a nuisance that interrupts one's peace. If you are describing something that provokes a strong physical or psychological sensation of irritation, irritante is often used.
Which one should you use?
fastidioso is the standard, all-purpose term for something bothersome. seccante is more specific, often carrying a nuance of being a tedious nuisance. irritante is more closely related to the actual sensation of being irritated and is used for things that trigger a strong reaction.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective fastidioso must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. Its forms are fastidioso (masculine singular), fastidiosa (feminine singular), fastidiosi (masculine plural) and fastidiose (feminine plural).
How do you pronounce it?
The word fastidioso has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable: /fas.tiˈdjo.zo/.
When do people say it?
In informal situations, you may encounter the slang term rompiscatole, which literally means "box breaker" and is used to describe someone or something that is incredibly annoying.
Did you know?
- Italian speakers often use the phrase che barba! meaning 'what a beard!' to express that something is boring or annoying.
- The adjective fastidioso shares its Latin roots with the English word 'fastidious', though in Italian it lost the sense of being 'careful' and kept the sense of being 'irritating'.
- If you want to use even stronger slang than rompiscatole, you might call someone a rompiballe, which translates literally to 'ball breaker'.
Examples in context
- Lo spam è fastidioso.Spam is annoying.This sentence shows how to describe spam as being fastidioso.Tatoeba #10145271 by Guybrush88, translation #10143593 by ddnktr
- Tom è così fastidioso.Tom is so annoying.This sentence shows how to describe a person as being fastidioso.Tatoeba #4000343 by Guybrush88, translation #2647939 by CK
- Lei è così fastidioso!You are so annoying!This sentence shows how to address someone as being fastidioso.Tatoeba #5810365 by Guybrush88, translation #4927663 by mikazuki
- Questa situazione è davvero fastidiosa.This situation is really annoying.
- È stata un'esperienza spiacevole.It was an annoying experience.
- Quel tipo è davvero un rompiscatole!That guy is really annoying!
- 109 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Martina are talking about a noisy neighbor.
- MatteoSenti quel rumore? È davvero fastidioso.Do you hear that noise? It's really annoying.
- MartinaSì, Matteo, non riesco a concentrarmi.Yes, Matteo, I can't concentrate.
- MatteoDovremmo chiedere di fare silenzio.We should ask them to be quiet.
- MartinaHai ragione, è troppo fastidioso così.You're right, it's too annoying like this.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “annoying” translations and entries fastidioso, seccante, irritante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fastidioso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
