diretto
/diˈrɛt.to/
The English word 'direct' is translated into Italian as diretto.
diretto is an adjective used to describe things that are straight, constant or without interruption. When using this word to describe a person's manner of speaking, it implies that they are being blunt or outspoken.
Meaning: straight, constant, without interruption (adj)
Which one should you use?
While diretto can be used to mean 'straight' (such as describing a path), it also carries the connotation of being blunt or outspoken when describing how a person speaks.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use diretta for the feminine singular, diretti for the masculine plural and dirette for the feminine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /diˈrɛt.to/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The word diretto is a sibling to diritto, which means 'right' or 'law'. Both originate from the Latin word for something that is straight or set right.
- The term volo diretto refers to a non-stop flight, but in some contexts, Italians distinguish this from volo senza scali to clarify if there are any technical stops.
- The Italian word dritto is often used colloquially as a synonym for diretto when describing a path, but dritto can also describe a person who is physically upright or morally honest.
Examples in context
- Tom è diretto, vero?Tom is direct, isn't he?This sentence is useful for confirming if Tom is direct using diretto.Tatoeba #4903176 by Guybrush88, translation #3417223 by CK
- Il percorso è diretto.The path is direct.This sentence is useful for describing a path that is diretto.Tatoeba #4967502 by Guybrush88, translation #2163163 by Source_VOA
- È molto diretto a riguardo.He is very direct about it.This sentence is useful for stating that someone is very diretto about a specific subject.Tatoeba #4725933 by Guybrush88, translation #291436 by CK
- La mia risposta sarà direttaMy answer will be direct
- La sua richiesta è stata molto francaHis/her request was very direct
- Voglio presentare la mia proposta senza mezzi terminiI want to present my proposal without beating around the bush
- Che ne dici di andare dritto al punto?What do you say we go straight to the point?
- Te lo dico senza giri di parole: non mi piaceI'll tell you straight up: I don't like it
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Alessandro are discussing travel plans at a station.
- GiuliaAlessandro, esiste un treno diretto?Alessandro, is there a direct train?
- AlessandroSì, c'è un treno diretto tra mezz'ora.Yes, there is a direct train in half an hour.
- GiuliaPerfetto, è molto più comodo.Perfect, it is much more convenient.
- AlessandroSì, Giulia, risparmieremo molto tempo.Yes, Giulia, we will save a lot of time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “direct” translations and entries diretto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries diretto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
