svitato
The Italian word for 'dingbat' is svitato.
This term is used to describe a silly, crazy or stupid person.
Meaning: silly, crazy or stupid person (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word svitato literally means 'unscrewed', which implies that a person's 'screws are loose'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word must agree in gender with the person you are describing, so use svitata for a female.
Did you know?
- While svitato is a lighthearted term, Italians might use fuori di testa to describe someone who is truly 'out of their mind', which literally translates to 'outside of the head'.
- In a humorous or ironic context, calling someone svitato can be a term of endearment among close friends, similar to calling someone a 'character' in English.
- Because it relates to mechanical components, you might hear someone say they feel svitato if they have a 'loose screw' or feel slightly out of sorts mentally.
Examples in context
- Che cretino! Non ha capito nemmeno l'ovvio!What a dingbat! He didn't even understand the obvious!
- È un po' svitato.He is a bit of a dingbat.
- Quel tipo è proprio uno svitato.That guy is a real dingbat.
- Non ascoltarlo, è uno svitato.Don't listen to him, he is a silly person.
- Sembra un po' svitato oggi.He seems a bit crazy today.
Example conversation
Martina and Alessandro are talking about a strange neighbor.
- MartinaHai visto cosa ha fatto il vicino?Did you see what the neighbor did?
- AlessandroSì, è uno svitato completo.Yes, he is a complete dingbat.
- MartinaAlessandro, non essere così cattivo.Alessandro, don't be so mean.
- AlessandroDico solo la verità su di lui.I'm just telling the truth about him.
