beccato
/bekˈka.to/
The English word 'busted' can be translated into Italian as beccato.
beccato is a colloquial term used when someone is caught doing something they shouldn't be doing, mirroring the English slang 'busted'.
Meaning: caught in the act (adj)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While beccato is informal and colloquial, the phrase Essere colti sul fatto is a formal way to express being caught in the act. For more informal situations, you might use Essere fregati (to be screwed) or Essere pizzicati (to be pinched).
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective or past participle, the form must agree in gender and number with the person who was caught. Use beccato for a male, beccata for a female, beccati for a group of males or a mixed group and beccate for a group of females.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable: /bekˈka.to/.
Did you know?
- The word beccato comes from the verb beccare, which describes the way a bird pecks at its food with its beak. It suggests that the person caught was snatched up like a worm by a bird.
- The word beccare is also used in a completely different context to mean 'to run into someone' by chance. For example, you might say you beccato a friend at the supermarket.
- Using beccato in a courtroom or a formal legal setting would be seen as inappropriately comical. Because it is so informal, it can actually undermine the seriousness of a legal situation.
Examples in context
- L'hanno beccato a frodare le tasse.They caught him evading taxes.
- Ti ho beccato!I caught you!
- Mi hai beccato a mangiare la torta!You caught me eating the cake!
- È stato beccato a copiare durante l'esame.He was caught cheating during the exam.
- Spero di non essere beccato mentre dormo.I hope I'm not caught while I'm sleeping.
Example conversation
Sofia finds Lorenzo eating the last piece of cake.
- SofiaAhah, sei stato beccato!Haha, you've been busted!
- LorenzoNon volevo mangiarlo tutto, Sofia.I didn't want to eat it all, Sofia.
- SofiaMa avevi promesso di lasciarne un po'.But you promised to leave some.
- LorenzoScusami, era troppo buono!Sorry, it was too good!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry beccato, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
