storto
/ˈstɔr.to/
The Italian word for crooked is storto.
It is also used figuratively to describe someone or something that is dishonest or illegal.
Meaning: figurative: dishonest, illegal (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use the feminine form storta for feminine nouns, the masculine plural form storti for multiple masculine nouns and the feminine plural form storte for multiple feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable. In IPA, it is pronounced /ˈstɔr.to/.
Did you know?
- The word storto is a linguistic relative of the English word 'extort'. Both come from the Latin root for twisting or bending something out of its natural shape.
- In Italian, the phrase andare storto is used to say that a plan or a situation has 'gone wrong'. While it literally means 'to go crooked', it functions like the English phrase 'to go south'.
- Italian has a specific distinction between storto and curvo. While curvo describes a graceful or intentional curve, storto implies something is bent incorrectly or deformed.
Examples in context
- Questo albero è storto.This tree is crooked.This sentence uses storto to describe the shape of a tree.Tatoeba #11837424 by Guybrush88, translation #9841964 by AlanF_US
- L'albero è storto.The tree is crooked.Tatoeba #6555487 by Guybrush88, translation #2002551 by bichodebola
- Tom notò che il quadro appeso al muro era storto, così lo raddrizzò.Tom noticed the picture hanging on the wall was crooked, so he straightened it.This sentence uses storto to describe a picture on a wall.Tatoeba #10705370 by carlosalberto, translation #10704937 by CK
- Guarda quella casa, sembra così storta!Look at that house, it looks so crooked!
- Non mettere il quadro in modo così stortino!Don't hang the picture so crooked!
- La mia vecchia bicicletta era completamente sghemba.My old bike was completely crooked.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Sofia are discussing a suspicious business deal.
- FrancescoNon mi fido di quell'affare.I don't trust that deal.
- SofiaPerché pensi che sia storto?Why do you think it's crooked?
- FrancescoIl prezzo è troppo basso per essere vero.The price is too low to be true.
- SofiaHai ragione, sembra un imbroglio.You're right, it looks like a scam.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry storto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries storto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
