diavolo
/ˈdja.vo.lo/masculine
The English word "devil" is translated into Italian as diavolo.
The term diavolo refers to an evil creature. Informally, it can also be used to describe a person who is very naughty, mischievous or even very energetic.
Meaning: evil creature (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word diavolo is a masculine noun. When used as a proper name to refer to the chief devil, it is also written as diavolo.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈdja.vo.lo/.
Did you know?
- In Italian culture, the phrase diavolo di un… can be used as an intensifier to describe someone who is exceptionally skilled, such as un diavolo di un chitarrista for a brilliant guitarist.
- The expression fare il diavolo a quattro means to throw a huge tantrum or create a scene, literally meaning 'to make the devil to four'.
- The Italian word diavolo shares its ancestry with the Greek word diábolos, which originally meant 'slanderer' or 'accuser'.
Examples in context
- Tom è il diavolo.Tom is the devil.This example shows how to identify someone as the devil using diavolo.Tatoeba #6996457 by Guybrush88, translation #1517938 by Spamster
- Non sono il diavolo.I'm not the devil.This example shows how to deny being the devil using diavolo.Tatoeba #5923404 by Guybrush88, translation #5757903 by CM
- Al diavolo il diavolo!To hell with the devil!This example shows an idiomatic expression using diavolo.Tatoeba #13693778 by Guybrush88, translation #12904281 by Adelpa
- Il diavolo è astuto.The devil is cunning.
- Satana è stato cacciato dal Paradiso.Satan was cast out of Heaven.
- Quell'amico è un vero diavoletto.That friend is a little devil.
- Che diavolaccio sei!What a mischievous little devil you are!
- 33 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Chiara are watching a horror movie.
- MatteoIl diavolo è uscito dal libro!The devil came out of the book!
- ChiaraChe paura, è un diavolo terribile.How scary, he is a terrible devil.
- MatteoGuarda come corre quel diavolo.Look how that devil runs.
- ChiaraSpero che il film finisca presto.I hope the movie ends soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “devil” translations and entries diavolo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries diavolo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
