astuto
/asˈtu.to/
The Italian word for astute is astuto.
astuto is used to describe someone who is quick at seeing how to gain an advantage.
Meaning: Quick at seeing how to gain advantage (adj)
Which one should you use?
While astuto is a translation for astute, it often carries a connotation of being cunning or sly in a slightly more devious sense than the English word.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes: astuto is the masculine singular form, astuta is the feminine singular form, astuti is the masculine plural form and astute is the feminine plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
/asˈtu.to/. The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- In Italian fables and folklore, the fox is the ultimate symbol of being astuto, representing the ability to outsmart opponents who are physically stronger.
- To emphasize someone's shrewdness, Italians often use the phrase una volpe, literally translating to 'a fox'.
- The Latin root astūtus is the direct ancestor of both the Italian astuto and the English 'astute', making them true linguistic cousins.
Examples in context
- Il professore ha dato una risposta perspicaceThe professor gave an astute response
- Il direttore ha preso una decisione molto accortaThe director made a very astute decision
- Luca è un ragazzo furboLuca is a clever/astute guy
- Carlo ha dato una risposta acutaCarlo gave an astute response
- È un uomo molto astuto.He is a very astute man.
- È un uomo molto astuto negli affari.He is a very astute man in business.
- Il suo piano astuto ha funzionato.His astute plan worked.
- Per essere astuto bisogna osservare bene.To be astute, one must observe carefully.
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Giulia are discussing a colleague's career moves.
- LorenzoMarco è un tipo davvero astuto.Marco is a truly astute guy.
- GiuliaSì, sa sempre come ottenere una promozione.Yes, he always knows how to get a promotion.
- LorenzoHa sfruttato ogni occasione con grande abilità.He exploited every opportunity with great skill.
- GiuliaÈ proprio vero, è molto scaltro.It's very true, he is very cunning.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry astuto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries astuto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
