Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| insaziabile | /in.satˈt͡sja.bi.le/ |
| incontentabile | /in.kon.tenˈta.bi.le/ |
Both words describe someone or something that cannot be satisfied or appeased, but they are applied to different contexts. Insaziabile is typically used for physical or abstract desires, such as hunger, thirst or curiosity. Incontentabile is used to describe a person's temperament or character, specifically someone who is impossible to please.
What does it mean word for word?
The word insaziabile is formed from the prefix in- (not), the root saziare (to satiate) and the suffix -abile (able to be).
Which one should you use?
Use insaziabile when referring to physical or abstract needs like an appetite or a curiosity. Use incontentabile when describing a person's character or their tendency to be impossible to please.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective insaziabile is invariable in gender, so it remains the same whether it modifies a masculine or feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/in.satˈtsja.bi.le/. It has 5 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- The term incontentabile is often used in Italian to describe a 'perfectionist' who is never satisfied with their own work, shifting the meaning from greed to an obsession with quality.
- In Italian, the concept of an 'insatiable' appetite is often linked to the phrase appetito insaziabile, which can be used metaphorically to describe a ruthless ambition for power in politics.
- In Italian literature, describing a character's passion as insaziabile often evokes a sense of tragedy, suggesting a void that no earthly thing can ever fill.
Examples in context
- Tom ha un appetito insaziabile.Tom has an insatiable appetite.This sentence shows how to use insaziabile with the noun appetite.Tatoeba #5363281 by Guybrush88, translation #3563918 by _undertoad
- Layla aveva un'insaziabile brama di sesso e soldi.Layla had an insatiable lust for sex and money.This sentence illustrates the use of insaziabile regarding abstract desires.Tatoeba #9937850 by Guybrush88, translation #6178109 by OsoHombre
- Sei davvero incontentabile.You are truly insatiable.This sentence demonstrates the use of incontentabile when describing a person's nature.Tatoeba #7279966 by Guybrush88, translation #7283100 by gcaplan
- La sua sete di conoscenza era insaziabile.His thirst for knowledge was insatiable.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina and Matteo are discussing their love for reading books.
- MartinaLeggo tre libri a settimana, sono insaziabile!I read three books a week, I'm insatiable!
- MatteoAnche io, non mi stanco mai di leggere.Me too, I never get tired of reading.
- MartinaVuoi venire in biblioteca con me domani, Matteo?Do you want to come to the library with me tomorrow, Matteo?
- MatteoCerto, andiamo pure!Sure, let's go!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “insatiable” translations and entries insaziabile, incontentabile, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
