How to Say "Hitman" in Italian

sicario

/siˈka.rjo/masculine

The English phrase 'hitman' is translated into Italian as sicario. Wiktionary also lists killer.

Meaning: contract killer (noun)

Ways to say it

“hitman” in Italian
Italian	IPA	Note
sicario	/siˈka.rjo/	masculine
killer	/ˈkil.lɛr/	masculine

The term refers to a contract killer.

sicario is a masculine noun. To refer to a female hitman, use the feminine form sicaria.

/siˈka.rjo/ (three syllables, stress on the second syllable)

In the context of the Italian Mafia, a 'hitman' is often referred to more indirectly as a 'soldato', meaning 'soldier', to mask the violent nature of the role.
Historically, the sicarii were a group of Jewish zealots in the first century who used curved daggers to assassinate Roman collaborators in crowded places.
In Italian, killer is an 'unadapted borrowing', meaning it keeps its original English spelling and pronunciation rather than being 'Italianized' with a new ending.

Tom fu ucciso da un sicario.
Tom was killed by a hitman.
This sentence illustrates the use of sicario in a passive construction.
Tatoeba #10485899 by Guybrush88, translation #9969173 by ddnktr
Ha ingaggiato un killer per non doversi sporcare le mani.
He hired a hitman to not get his hands dirty.
This sentence shows how killer can be used to describe someone hired to perform a task.
Wiktionary
Il sicario è fuggito dalla scena.
The hitman fled from the scene.
1 more sentence on Tatoeba

Francesco and Giulia are watching a crime documentary on TV.

Francesco

Secondo me quel sicario è stato catturato.
In my opinion, that hitman was caught.
Giulia

Non credo, sembra molto astuto.
I don't think so, he seems very cunning.
Francesco

Però la polizia lo sta cercando.
But the police are looking for him.
Giulia

Sì, spero che lo trovino presto.
Yes, I hope they find him soon.

Sources

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