presentimento
/pre.zen.tiˈmen.to/
The Italian word for hunch is presentimento.
presentimento refers to an idea or theory, often a vague or sometimes ominous feeling about the future. In Italian, you express having a hunch by using the phrase avere un presentimento, which mirrors the English structure using the verb avere (to have). If your hunch is regarding something negative, you might use the phrase temo che (I'm afraid that) to introduce your thought.
Meaning: idea, theory (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word presentimento literally means a 'pre-feeling'. It is composed of the prefix pre- (before), the verb sentire (to feel or perceive) and the suffix -mento (used to form a noun of action).
Which one should you use?
While presentimento often implies a vague or potentially ominous feeling about what is to come, the word intuizione refers to a more sudden, sharp realization or a moment of insight.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the word is presentimenti, which is created by changing the final vowel o to i.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has five syllables with the stress on the fourth syllable: /pre.zen.tiˈmen.to/.
Did you know?
- While a 'hunch' in English can be a positive guess, presentimento almost always carries a tone of apprehension or a sense that something bad is about to happen.
- If a hunch is not just a feeling but a sign from the universe or fate, Italians use the word presagio, which specifically refers to an omen.
- In Italian, 'sentire' can mean 'to feel' or 'to hear', meaning a presentimento is a sensation that is perceived even before it is fully understood.
Examples in context
- Io ho un presentimento.I have a hunch.This sentence shows how to use presentimento to state that you have a hunch.Tatoeba #6571639 by Guybrush88, translation #915811 by papabear
- Intuisco che questa decisione avrà conseguenze negative.I have a hunch that this decision will have negative consequences.
- Ho un presentimento che questa festa sarà un successo.I have a hunch that this party will be a success.
- Ho proprio l'impressione che le cose cambieranno.I really have the impression that things will change.
- Ho un presentimento non troppo buono.I have a hunch that is not very good.
- Segui il tuo presentimento.Follow your hunch.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Martina are discussing a possible change in the weather.
- AlessandroHo un presentimento che pioverà oggi.I have a hunch that it will rain today.
- MartinaHai ragione, il cielo è molto scuro.You are right, the sky is very dark.
- AlessandroDovremmo prendere l'ombrello prima di uscire.We should take the umbrella before going out.
- MartinaBuona idea, Alessandro.Good idea, Alessandro.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry presentimento, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
