ignorante
/iɲ.ɲoˈran.te/
The Italian word for 'ignorant' is ignorante.
While this word can mean 'unaware', in Italian ignorante often carries a stronger connotation of being uneducated, rude or lacking basic cultural knowledge. It is frequently used as a social insult to imply that someone is uncivilized or lacks manners, rather than simply lacking specific information.
Meaning: unaware (adj)
Which one should you use?
In English, 'ignorant' can sometimes mean merely being unaware of a fact, but the Italian ignorante often implies a deeper lack of education or refinement.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective ignorante is invariable for gender, so the form is the same for both masculine and feminine singular subjects. For plural subjects, use ignoranti for both masculine and feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable: /iɲ.ɲoˈran.te/.
Did you know?
- In certain regional contexts, ignorante can be used to describe a 'rustic' or 'raw' style of speaking, often associated with rural dialects and a lack of formal schooling.
- The word ignorante is a 'false friend' for English speakers because using it to mean 'unaware of a detail' can accidentally offend the person you are describing.
- In certain contexts, a person might use the phrase fare l'ignorante to describe someone who is intentionally pretending to be unaware of something.
Examples in context
- La gente razzista è ignorante.Racist people are ignorant.This sentence shows how the word can describe people with racist views.Tatoeba #2418540 by Guybrush88, translation #2418538 by gone2bacolod
- Non sto dicendo che è ignorante.I'm not saying that you're ignorant.This sentence is useful for seeing how to deny calling someone ignorante.Tatoeba #5064393 by Guybrush88, translation #5064372 by AlanF_US
- Tom fingeva di essere ignorante.Tom pretended to be ignorant.This sentence illustrates the use of the word when someone is pretending to lack knowledge.Tatoeba #6147194 by Guybrush88, translation #3476871 by CK
- Sei proprio ignorante!You are so ignorant!
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Chiara are talking about a new law.
- MatteoSapevi che questa legge è cambiata?Did you know that this law has changed?
- ChiaraNo, ero completamente ignorante a riguardo.No, I was completely unaware of it.
- MatteoNon preoccuparti, molti sono ancora ignoranti.Don't worry, many people are still unaware.
- ChiaraGrazie per avermelo detto, Matteo.Thanks for telling me, Matteo.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ignorante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
