Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| capo | /ˈka.po/ | masculine |
| padrone | /paˈdro.ne/ | masculine |
In a standard workplace context, use capo to refer to a professional supervisor or a leader. If you are referring specifically to a manager or an executive-level boss, you can use dirigente. To describe a company boss or business boss, the term capo aziendale is used. If you are speaking in a formal corporate setting and need to specify a department head or office manager, use capo ufficio.
Which one should you use?
capo is the neutral term for a professional supervisor or leader. In contrast, padrone can mean owner, but using it to refer to a boss often carries a negative connotation of a master-servant relationship or is used pejoratively.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of capo is capi.
How do you pronounce it?
capo is pronounced /ˈka.po/. It has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The Italian capo is a linguistic relative of the English word 'chef', as both derive from the Latin word for 'head'.
- In Italian, the word capo is also used to describe a geographical cape or headland where the land meets the sea.
- While padrone means 'owner', it is also the word used for a 'landlord' in a housing context.
Examples in context
- Il capo è lì?Is the boss there?This sentence is useful for asking if the capo is present.Tatoeba #4880105 by Guybrush88, translation #2599441 by CK
- Tom è il capo.Tom is the boss.This sentence is useful for stating that Tom is the capo.Tatoeba #2002436 by Guybrush88, translation #1868155 by CK
- È il mio capo.He is my boss.This sentence is useful for identifying someone as my capo.Tatoeba #3121642 by Guybrush88, translation #297905 by CK
- Il capo mi ha assegnato un nuovo progettoThe boss assigned me a new project
- È importante ottenere l'approvazione del dirigenteIt is important to obtain the manager's approval
- Il capo aziendale ha annunciato un nuovo progettoThe company boss announced a new project
- Ho incontrato il capoccia dell'azienda oggiI met the big boss of the company today
- Questa è una decisione che spetta ai capiThis is a decision that is up to the bosses
- L'AD ha preso una decisione importante per l'aziendaThe CEO made an important decision for the company
- 295 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking in the office break room.
- FrancescoHai visto il nuovo capo?Have you seen the new boss?
- GiuliaSì, è molto severo.Yes, he is very strict.
- FrancescoSpero che sia un buon capo.I hope he is a good boss.
- GiuliaVedremo con il tempo.We will see with time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “boss” translations and entries capo, padrone, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries capo, padrone, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
