Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| deplorevole | /de.ploˈre.vo.le/ |
| deplorabile | /de.ploˈra.bi.le/ |
| deprecabile | /de.preˈka.bi.le/ |
The primary translation is deplorevole, which describes something that is shockingly bad or deserving of strong condemnation, such as a bad state or poor behavior. If you want to express that something is unacceptable in a formal way, you can use inaccettabile. For a more intense, formal sense of being outrageous, obbrobrioso is also an option. In informal contexts, if you want to say something is simply horrible, you might use orribile.
Which one should you use?
While all these forms relate to the concept of being bad, they have different nuances. deplorevole is the standard term for describing a bad condition, state or behavior. In contrast, deplorabile is much rarer and carries a more formal or archaic tone. Furthermore, deprecabile is a softer term. It is often used to mean 'regrettable' or 'unfortunate' rather than describing something as 'shockingly bad'.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, deplorevole must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. It is used as deplorevole for both masculine and feminine singular nouns, and changes to deplorevoli for plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of deplorevole is /de.ploˈre.vo.le/. It has five syllables, with the stress on the third syllable.
Did you know?
- The word deprecabile shares a root with deprecare, which means to pray for something to be removed. To find something 'deprecable' was originally to wish it away through prayer.
- The root of deplorevole is the verb deplorare, which in Italian can also mean 'to lament' or 'to mourn'. This connects the idea of a 'deplorable' situation to the act of grieving for it.
- While they look almost identical to English, the Italian deplorevole and deplorabile are much less common in everyday speech than their English counterpart. They are reserved for very formal or heavy-handed contexts.
Examples in context
- La strada è in uno stato deplorevole.The road is in a deplorable state.This sentence uses deplorevole to describe a road in a bad state.Tatoeba #3853103 by Guybrush88, translation #2327368 by Hybrid
- Il suo comportamento era deplorevole.His behaviour was deplorable.This sentence uses deplorevole to describe a person's behavior.Tatoeba #13849469 by Nuel, translation #13849468 by Nuel
- La sua condotta è davvero orribileHis behavior is truly deplorable
- La sua mancanza di considerazione è semplicemente scandalosaHis lack of consideration is simply deplorable
- La sua condotta è deplorevoleHis behavior is deplorable
- L'evento di ieri è stato semplicemente obbrobriosoYesterday's event was simply deplorable
- Gettare i rifiuti in un parco è davvero orribileThrowing trash in a park is truly deplorable
Example conversation
Sofia and Alessandro are discussing a recent news report about local pollution.
- SofiaIl livello di inquinamento nel fiume è deplorevole.The level of pollution in the river is deplorable.
- AlessandroHai ragione, Sofia, è una situazione terribile.You are right, Sofia, it is a terrible situation.
- SofiaNon dovrebbero permettere che accada questo.They shouldn't allow this to happen.
- AlessandroSpero che le autorità intervengano presto.I hope the authorities intervene soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “deplorable” translations and entries deplorevole, deplorabile, deprecabile, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
