Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| audace | /awˈda.t͡ʃe/ |
| sfrontato | /sfronˈta.to/ |
| ardito | /arˈdi.to/ |
| coraggioso | /ko.radˈd͡ʒo.zo/ /ko.radˈd͡ʒo.so/ |
| baldo | /ˈbal.do/ |
Italian uses different words for 'bold' depending on whether you mean courageous, adventurous or even rude. While audace captures a sense of daring, coraggioso is a standard way to describe being courageous.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the nuance of the boldness. Audace is a positive way to express daring. Ardito also carries a positive connotation, implying a sense of adventure or a willingness to take risks, often in heroic or historical contexts. In contrast, sfrontato is a negative term used to describe someone who is bold in a rude, shameless or impudent way. Finally, baldo is a literary or archaic term for boldness and is rarely used in everyday conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective audace is invariable for gender, so it remains the same whether the subject is masculine or feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of audace is /awˈda.tʃe/. It has three syllables, and the stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word sfrontato literally contains the word for 'forehead', as it comes from the idea of being 'without a forehead' or having no face to hide behind.
- The word coraggioso is built around the root for 'heart', which is cuore, following the ancient idea that courage resides in the chest.
- The word sfrontato shares an evolutionary path with the English term 'barefaced', both describing someone who lacks the 'face' or modesty to feel shame.
Examples in context
- È audace assaporare tali sapori.It's bold to enjoy such tastes.This sentence shows how to use audace to describe an action.Tatoeba #13266920 by Nuel, translation #13266919 by Nuel
- Non mi sento abbastanza coraggioso da rivelare il mio vero io.I don’t feel bold enough to reveal my real self.This sentence demonstrates the use of coraggioso to describe a person's internal feeling of courage.Tatoeba #12997401 by Nuel, translation #12997400 by Nuel
- Questa persona è molto coraggiosaThis person is very bold.
- Il suo comportamento audace ha stupito tuttiHis/her bold behavior surprised everyone.
- È un imprenditore molto intraprendenteHe is a very bold entrepreneur.
- Sei un coraggiosetto ad affrontare quello spaventoso parco a temaYou are a little bold to face that terrifying theme park.
- Mi piace la tua attitudine decisaI like your bold attitude.
- Marco è coraggioso, affronta qualsiasi sfida con determinazione.Marco is bold, he faces any challenge with determination.
- Mi piace il tuo spirito audace, non hai paura delle nuove esperienze.I like your bold spirit, you are not afraid of new experiences.
- Alice è una ragazza intraprendente, lancia sempre nuovi progetti con sicurezza.Alice is an enterprising girl, she always launches new projects with confidence.
- È un progetto molto audace.It is a very bold project.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a new business plan in a cafe.
- MartinaIl tuo piano di business è davvero audace, Alessandro.Your business plan is truly bold, Alessandro.
- AlessandroGrazie, Martina. Voglio provare qualcosa di nuovo.Thanks, Martina. I want to try something new.
- MartinaSpero che tu sia pronto per questa sfida.I hope you are ready for this challenge.
- AlessandroSì, sono molto motivato.Yes, I am very motivated.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bold” translations and entries audace, sfrontato, ardito, coraggioso, baldo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ardito, audace, coraggioso, sfrontato, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
