sgradevole
/zɡraˈde.vo.le/
The English word "distasteful" can be translated into Italian as sgradevole.
sgradevole is used to describe something that is offensive or distasteful. While it can be used in a moral or social sense to mean distasteful, it is more frequently used to describe sensory unpleasantness, such as a bad smell or an annoying sound.
Meaning: offensive (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the prefix s-, which functions as a negating prefix similar to the English "un-" and gradevole, meaning pleasant or agreeable.
Which one should you use?
While sgradevole is a common way to express distastefulness, other words offer different intensities and registers. Use spiacevole for a formal expression of distastefulness, and use ripugnante as a formal term to express a much more intense form of distastefulness. For an informal way to say something is "disgusting", use schifoso or schifosa.
How do you pronounce it?
The word sgradevole has 4 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable: /zɡraˈde.vo.le/.
Did you know?
- The root of sgradevole is the Latin 'gradus', meaning 'step', which is the same ancestor for the English word 'grade'.
- While sgradevole describes something unpleasant, the informal term schifoso is often used as a harsh insult to describe a person's character as 'vile' or 'scum', not just their taste.
- An Italian speaker might use sgradevole to describe a 'distasteful' color choice in interior design, whereas in English this would more likely be called 'gaudy' or 'clashing'.
Examples in context
- Questo cibo ha un sapore davvero sgradevoleThis food has a really distasteful flavor
- La sua presenza è sempre spiacevoleHis/her presence is always distasteful
- Quel film era davvero schifosoThat movie was really distasteful
- Ho mangiato una pizza orribile ieri seraI had a distasteful pizza last night
- È stato un commento molto sgradevole.It was a very distasteful comment.
- Trovo sgradevole il suo modo di fare.I find his way of behaving distasteful.
- Ha fatto una domanda davvero sgradevole.He asked a truly distasteful question.
Example conversation
Sofia and Matteo are discussing a rude joke told at a party.
- SofiaHai sentito quella battuta?Did you hear that joke?
- MatteoSì, l'ho trovata piuttosto sgradevole.Yes, I found it rather distasteful.
- SofiaHai ragione, Matteo, era fuori luogo.You are right, Matteo, it was out of place.
- MatteoSpero che non lo faccia più.I hope he doesn't do it again.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sgradevole, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sgradevole, CC BY-SA 4.0.
