vagabondo
/va.ɡaˈbon.do/
The English word "drifter" can be translated into Italian as vagabondo. If unsure, use vagabondo. Wiktionary also lists persona alla deriva.
Meaning: person moving from place to place or job to job (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| vagabondo | /va.ɡaˈbon.do/ | |
| persona alla deriva | feminine |
The term is used to describe a person who moves from place to place or job to job.
Which one should you use?
While vagabondo implies a person wandering without a home, persona alla deriva is more metaphorical, often used for someone who is lost or lacks direction in life.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of the masculine noun vagabondo is vagabondi. The feminine singular form of vagabondo is vagabonda.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable: /va.ɡaˈbon.do/.
Did you know?
- The word persona comes from the Etruscan language and originally referred to a mask worn by actors in a theater.
- While 'drifter' in English often implies a lack of purpose, calling someone a vagabondo in Italy can sometimes carry a romanticized connotation of a free-spirited traveler.
- In Italian culture, the term vagabondo is often associated with the 'viandante' figure in literature, representing a spiritual or philosophical journey rather than just homelessness.
Examples in context
- Tom è un vagabondo.Tom is a drifter.This sentence is useful for identifying someone as a vagabondo.Tatoeba #2909007 by Guybrush88, translation #2272790 by CK
- Sami voleva allontanarsi dai suoi problemi e diventare un vagabondo.Sami wanted to walk away from his problems and become a drifter.This sentence is useful for describing someone's desire to become a vagabondo.Tatoeba #13861975 by Guybrush88, translation #6135063 by OsoHombre
- Il vagabondo si spostava da una città all'altra senza scopo preciso.The drifter moved from one city to another without a specific purpose.
- Era un tipo un po' bohémien, sempre alla ricerca di nuove avventure.He was a bit of a drifter, always in search of new adventures.
- Non mi sento vincolato da niente, sono un vero girovago!I don't feel tied down to anything, I am a true drifter!
- Quel povero vagabondo non ha una casa fissa.That poor drifter does not have a fixed home.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Sofia are talking about a man they saw in the park.
- FrancescoHai visto quel vagabondo nel parco?Did you see that drifter in the park?
- SofiaSì, sembrava molto stanco.Yes, he looked very tired.
- FrancescoForse cerca un lavoro stabile.Maybe he is looking for a stable job.
- SofiaSpero che trovi presto un posto dove stare.I hope he finds a place to stay soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “drifter” translations and entries vagabondo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries deriva, persona, vagabondo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
