Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| orribile | /orˈri.bi.le/ |
| pessimo | /ˈpɛs.si.mo/ |
| terribile | /terˈri.bi.le/ |
Terribile is a straightforward translation for 'awful'. Orribile is specifically used when something is horrific or grotesque. In casual conversation, you might use bruttissimo to describe something as terrible or awful, even though it literally means 'extremely ugly'. To describe a situation or event that is truly awful, you can also say è una tragedia (it's a tragedy).
Which one should you use?
While orribile and terribile mean 'awful' or 'horrible', pessimo is used to mean 'the worst' or 'extremely bad' specifically in terms of quality or performance.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjectives orribile and terribile must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. For both words, the singular form is orribile (masculine/feminine) and terribile (masculine/feminine), while the plural form is orribili and terribili respectively. Additionally, the adverbs tremendamente, spaventosamente and terribilmente can be used colloquially to mean 'very' or 'extremely'.
How do you pronounce it?
/orˈri.bi.le/
Did you know?
- When Italians say è una tragedia to describe an awful event, they are often using hyperbole for minor inconveniences, not just actual deaths or disasters.
- You can use the adverb spaventosamente to mean 'awfully' or 'extremely' in a colloquial sense, even though it literally means 'frighteningly'.
- While terribile means 'awful', it shares a root with terrore ('terror'), reminding the speaker that something awful is often something that causes fear.
Examples in context
- È di pessimo umore.She is in an awful mood.This sentence is useful for describing someone's mood using pessimo.Tatoeba #1280558 by Guybrush88, translation #1280560 by CM
- Il film era terribile.The movie was awful.This sentence is useful for describing a movie using terribile.Tatoeba #4530774 by Guybrush88, translation #4494872 by CK
- Ha un odore terribile.He smells awful.This sentence is useful for describing a smell using terribile.Tatoeba #8251071 by Guybrush88, translation #8479547 by CH
- una notizia terribileAwful news
- Questo film è bruttissimo!This movie is awful!
- L'esame è stato orrendo.The exam was horrible.
- La situazione è terribile.The situation is awful.
- Ho ricevuto una notizia sconsolante.I received some awful news.
- 77 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Chiara are discussing a meal they just ate at a restaurant.
- MatteoQuesto cibo ha un sapore orribile.This food tastes awful.
- ChiaraSì, è davvero orribile.Yes, it is truly awful.
- MatteoNon tornerò più in questo posto.I won't return to this place again.
- ChiaraHai ragione, Matteo.You are right, Matteo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “awful” translations and entries orribile, pessimo, terribile, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
