scopare
/skoˈpa.re/
The English phrase 'get laid' can be translated into Italian as scopare.
scopare is used to mean having sex. It is a common colloquial term used to describe the act of having sexual intercourse.
Meaning: to have sex (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, scopare means 'to sweep' (with a broom).
Which one should you use?
While scopare is vulgar and blunt, you can use fare l'amore if you wish to be polite and romantic, expressing the idea of 'making love'. Another alternative is the euphemistic phrase andare a letto con qualcuno, which means 'to go to bed with someone'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
scopare is a vulgar and highly informal way to say 'to have sex', equivalent to the English 'to fuck'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of scopare is scopato, which can be used to mean 'fucked' or 'had sex'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable: /skoˈpa.re/.
Did you know?
- Using the past participle scopato can sometimes imply being cheated or swindled, rather than just having had sex.
- While scopare is a common way to say 'to fuck', it is also the standard, non-vulgar verb used by housekeepers and janitors to mean 'to sweep' the floor.
- The word scopare is etymologically linked to the Latin word scopa, which means 'broom'.
Examples in context
- Se vuoi scopare, devi trovarti un altro.If you want to get laid, you need to find someone else.This sentence demonstrates how to use scopare when talking about the requirement to find a partner.Tatoeba #10704263 by felidad, translation #10703859 by felidad
- Spero di riuscire a scopare stasera.I hope I can get laid tonight.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their dating lives at a bar.
- LorenzoLorenzo, sei uscito con qualcuno ultimamente?Lorenzo, have you gone out with anyone lately?
- SofiaSì, ma non ho voglia di impegnarmi, voglio solo scopare.Yes, but I don't want to commit, I just want to get laid.
- LorenzoSei sempre il solito, Sofia lo sa.You're always the same, Sofia knows it.
- SofiaÈ vero, ma non posso farci niente.That's true, but I can't help it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry scopare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries scopare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
