cribbio
In Italian, gee can be translated using several exclamations of surprise or pleasure, such as cribbio. Wiktionary also lists perbacco and alla faccia.
Meaning: exclamation of surprise or pleasure (intj)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| cribbio | |
| perbacco | /perˈbak.ko/ |
| alla faccia | /ˈal.la ˈfat.t͡ʃa/ |
These expressions are used to convey surprise, pleasure or astonishment. For instance, Cavoli is a colloquial way to express disbelief or shock, while Accidenti can be used to convey surprise, frustration or admiration.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The expressions vary in register. Cribbio is colloquial, while Alla faccia is informal. Perbacco is also considered informal. For a more colloquial tone specifically for expressing disbelief or shock, you can use Cavoli. To express surprise, frustration or admiration in an informal way, you might use Accidenti.
Related words
Did you know?
- The word cribbio is a playful distortion of cristo. By altering the sounds, speakers can express strong surprise without committing blasphemy, which is socially avoided in many Italian regions.
- The exclamation perbacco is actually a disguised reference to the Roman god of wine, Bacchus. It was traditionally used as a way to swear without directly naming a deity, which was considered blasphemous.
- In some regional contexts, alla faccia can be used sarcastically to comment on someone's sudden wealth or luck, almost like saying 'look at that' with a hint of envy.
Examples in context
- Perbacco, incredibile!Gee, unbelievable!This example shows how to use perbacco.Tatoeba #9365358 by Guybrush88, translation #65354 by shekitten
- Oddio! Che bellissima sorpresa!Gee! What a beautiful surprise!
- Accidenti! Questa pizza è deliziosa!Gee! This pizza is delicious!
- Cavoli! Non crederai alla notizia che ho sentito!Gee! You won't believe the news I heard!
- Cribbio, che bella sorpresa!Gee, what a beautiful surprise!
- Cribbio, quanto è grande questo parco!Gee, this park is so big!
- 1 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Francesco are looking at a beautiful view from a mountain top.
- GiuliaCribbio, guarda che panorama!Gee, look at that view!
- FrancescoHai ragione, è stupendo.You're right, it's wonderful.
- GiuliaSiamo arrivati proprio al momento giusto.We arrived at just the right moment.
- FrancescoSì, è davvero incredibile.Yes, it really is incredible.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gee” translations and entries cribbio, perbacco, alla faccia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries faccia, perbacco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
