sfocato
The English word "blurry" is translated into Italian as sfocato.
sfocato is used to describe something that is not clear, crisp or focused. You can also use Indistinto when talking about something indistinct or blurry, especially in relation to vision or perception. If you are specifically referring to a camera lens being out of focus, you can use the synonym fuori fuoco.
Meaning: not clear, crisp, or focused (adj)
Which one should you use?
While sfocato is used for things that are out of focus, such as a photograph, use nebbioso for things that are blurry due to fog or mist.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective sfocato must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use sfocata for feminine singular nouns, sfocati for masculine plural nouns and sfocate for feminine plural nouns.
Did you know?
- The adjective sfocato is also used metaphorically in Italian to describe a person who is 'out of it' or not mentally present in a conversation.
- In Italian, the word for 'focus' in a photographic sense is fuoco, which is the exact same word used for 'fire'.
- While sfocato describes a lack of focus, Italians use appannato for a 'blurry' window or mirror caused by condensation or steam.
Examples in context
- Non riesco a leggerlo perché è troppo sfocato.I can't read it because it's too blurry.This sentence is useful for explaining that something cannot be read because it is too sfocato.Tatoeba #10469953 by Guybrush88, translation #10110344 by ddnktr
- La foto è sfocataThe photo is blurry
- La scena sembrava non nitidaThe scene appeared blurry
- La vista era un po' indistintaThe sight was a bit blurry
- La finestra era tutta appannataThe window was all fogged up
- Se guardi lontano, le montagne sembrano sfocateIf you look into the distance, the mountains appear blurry
- Ho scattato una foto sfocataI took a blurry picture
- Le immagini sono sfocateThe images are blurry
- In quel quadro, le linee sono molto sfocateIn that painting, the lines are very blurry
- Il paesaggio sullo sfondo è molto sfocato.The landscape in the background is very blurry.
- Perché questo video sembra così sfocato?Why does this video look so blurry?
Example conversation
Sofia and Matteo are looking at a photograph.
- SofiaGuarda questa immagine, Matteo.Look at this image, Matteo.
- MatteoPerché il soggetto è così sfocato?Why is the subject so blurry?
- SofiaForse la macchina fotografica si è mossa.Maybe the camera moved.
- MatteoDobbiamo scattarla di nuovo.We need to take it again.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sfocato, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
