inquietante
/in.kwjeˈtan.te/
The English word 'creepy' is translated into Italian as inquietante.
inquietante is used to describe something that causes discomfort, repulsion.
Meaning: causing discomfort or repulsion (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from the verb inquietare, which means to disturb or to unsettle.
Which one should you use?
While inquietante covers the sense of something being eerie or unsettling, it is more formal than using casual terms like strano (strange) to imply a sense of creepiness.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In a formal context, you might use sinistro, which translates to 'sinister'. For informal situations, if you want to describe something that is 'creepy' in the sense of giving you goosebumps or chills, you can use the phrase da brividi.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable: /in.kwjeˈtan.te/.
Did you know?
- Italian uses the word sinistro for 'sinister' or 'creepy', which is the same word used to mean 'left' in a directional sense.
- While inquietante describes the feeling of being unsettled, Italians may use the word viscido (slimy) to describe a 'creepy' person who is untrustworthy or sleazy.
- The word inquietante shares a common ancestor with the English word 'quiet', despite the two feeling like opposites in meaning.
Examples in context
- Tom è inquietante, vero?Tom is creepy, isn't he?This sentence is useful for checking if someone else finds Tom creepy using inquietante.Tatoeba #6902183 by Guybrush88, translation #6898762 by CK
- Questa casa è inquietante.This house is creepy.This sentence describes a house as being creepy using inquietante.Tatoeba #13172621 by Guybrush88, translation #3424161 by CK
- Trovo quella bambola estremamente inquietante.I find that doll extremely creepy.This sentence expresses that a doll is extremely creepy using inquietante.Tatoeba #12991491 by Nuel, translation #12991489 by Nuel
- Il film era estremamente inquietante.The movie was extremely disturbing.
- Il vecchio palazzo aveva un'atmosfera sinistra e misteriosa.The old building had a sinister and mysterious atmosphere.
- Quel posto è davvero inquietante, evitalo se puoi.That place is really creepy, avoid it if you can.
- Ho paura a morte dei ragni. Mi mettono i brividi.I'm scared to death of spiders. They give me chills.
- Quella scena del film era raccapricciante, mi ha fatto saltare sulla sedia.That scene in the movie was hair-raising, it made me jump out of my seat.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Chiara are walking through a dark forest at night.
- MatteoQuesto bosco è molto inquietante di notte.This forest is very creepy at night.
- ChiaraHai ragione, Matteo, ho paura.You're right, Matteo, I'm scared.
- MatteoSenti quel rumore inquietante tra gli alberi?Do you hear that creepy noise among the trees?
- ChiaraSì, andiamo via subito!Yes, let's get out of here right now!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry inquietante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries inquietante, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
