campagnolo
/kam.paɲˈɲɔ.lo/
The Italian word for hick is campagnolo.
campagnolo is used to refer to a country yokel or hillbilly. It is often used in a derogatory way to describe someone from the countryside.
Meaning: country yokel or hillbilly (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
This is an informal term and can be used as a derogatory insult.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun changes based on gender and number: campagnola is the feminine singular form, campagnoli is the masculine plural form and campagnole is the feminine plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable. The IPA pronunciation is /kam.paɲˈɲɔ.lo/.
Did you know?
- The English word 'campaign' is a direct linguistic relative of campagnolo, as both derive from the Latin word for 'field'.
- In some Italian dialects, the suffix '-olo' can function as a diminutive, but when applied to people in this context, it shifts from being 'small' to being patronizing or belittling.
- In some Italian regions, calling someone a campagnolo might specifically imply they are naive or easily cheated, rather than just being from a farm.
Examples in context
- Ma che campagnolo sei!You're such a hick!
- Quel tipo è un vero campagnolo.That guy is a real hick.
- Non fare il campagnolo con noi.Don't act like a hick with us.
- Si comporta come un povero campagnolo.He behaves like a poor hillbilly.
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Martina are discussing a man's outdated clothes.
- LorenzoGuarda come si veste quel tipo.Look at how that guy dresses.
- MartinaSì, sembra un vero campagnolo.Yes, he looks like a real hick.
- LorenzoForse viene da un paesino remoto.Maybe he comes from a remote little village.
- MartinaDi sicuro, non è per niente cittadino.For sure, he is not a city person at all.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry campagnolo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries campagnolo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
