detective
/deˈtɛk.tiv/
The English phrase 'detective' is translated into Italian as detective.
In Italian, detective refers to a police officer who looks for evidence. Because it is a loanword from English, it is often used in the context of fiction, such as detective novels or movies.
Meaning: police officer who looks for evidence (noun)
Which one should you use?
While detective is used in the language, the more standard and common Italian term for a detective or investigator is investigatore.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In formal or hierarchical police systems, the term Commissario/i can be used to refer to a detective. The word detective itself is a loanword.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word detective is an invariable noun, which means its spelling does not change between masculine and feminine forms.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the second syllable: /deˈtɛk.tiv/.
Did you know?
- Italian crime fiction is so popular it has its own subgenre called giallo, named after the yellow covers of early mystery novels.
- If you call a real police officer a detective in Italy, they might assume you are talking about a character from a Hollywood movie rather than a member of the local force.
- The word detective is invariable in Italian, meaning it remains the same whether you are talking about a man or a woman.
Examples in context
- Lei è un detective?Are you a detective?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is a detective.Tatoeba #2570458 by Guybrush88, translation #2548433 by CK
- Tom è un detective.Tom is a detective.This sentence is useful for stating that Tom is a detective.Tatoeba #3838333 by Guybrush88, translation #1025190 by CK
- Fadil assunse un detective privato.Fadil hired a private detective.This sentence is useful for saying someone hired a private detective.Tatoeba #5947180 by Guybrush88, translation #5839649 by OsoHombre
- Il capo della polizia ha incaricato gli investigatori di risolvere il casoThe chief of police assigned the detectives to solve the case
- La squadra di poliziotti investigatori sta indagando sull'incidenteThe team of police detectives is investigating the incident
- Il commissario ha preso in mano il casoThe detective took charge of the case
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a crime documentary at a café.
- ChiaraIl detective ha trovato un indizio?Did the detective find a clue?
- AlessandroSì, quel detective è molto bravo.Yes, that detective is very good.
- ChiaraLui è un detective famoso?Is he a famous detective?
- AlessandroNo, è solo un giovane detective.No, he is just a young detective.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry detective, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
