scacco matto
/ˈskak.ko ˈmat.to/word by word
Checkmate in Italian is scacco matto.
scacco matto is an interjection used when making the conclusive move in a game of chess. It can also function as a noun to describe the conclusive victory itself. To express the action of performing a checkmate, you use the phrase dare scacco matto or fare scacco matto, which literally means 'to give checkmate' or 'to make checkmate'.
Meaning: said when making the conclusive move in chess (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of scacco, meaning 'check' and matto, meaning 'mad', 'crazy' or 'deadly'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the verb 'to checkmate', Italian uses the constructions dare scacco matto or fare scacco matto. While scacco alone means 'check', other specific phrases exist such as scacco al re for 'checkmate' and mossa for 'move'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈskak.ko ˈmat.to/. The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The term scacco matto is frequently used in Italian conversation to describe any situation where someone is trapped or has no way out, regardless of whether a game is being played.
- The word scacco comes from the Arabic word for 'king in chess', which in turn comes from the Persian word shah.
Examples in context
- Scacco matto!Checkmate!This example shows how to use scacco matto as an interjection.Tatoeba #4556851 by Guybrush88, translation #611140 by kebukebu
- Scacco matto.Checkmate.Tatoeba #4890981 by Guybrush88, translation #1685992 by gleki
- dare/fare scacco mattoTo checkmateThis example shows the verbal constructions used to express the action of checkmating with scacco matto.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Giulia are finishing a game of chess in a park.
- AlessandroScacco matto, Giulia!Checkmate, Giulia!
- GiuliaOh no, hai vinto tu.Oh no, you won.
- AlessandroÈ stata una bella partita.It was a good game.
- GiuliaSì, ma la prossima volta non mi sconfiggi così facilmente.Yes, but next time you won't defeat me so easily.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “checkmate” translations and entries scacco matto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (scacco, matto) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries matto, scacco, scacco matto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
