tossicodipendente
The English word "junkie" can be translated into Italian as tossicodipendente.
The term refers to a person who is a narcotics addict.
Meaning: narcotics addict (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word tossicodipendente is a compound of tossico (meaning toxic or drug) and dipendente (meaning dependent), literally translating to "toxic-dependent".
Which one should you use?
Tossicodipendente is the standard term, while tossico is a slang version used to refer to a junkie.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Tossicodipendente is the standard, clinical or formal term. In contrast, tossico is considered slang.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun tossicodipendente is invariable in gender, meaning it remains the same whether referring to a male or female, but it changes in number. The plural form is tossicodipendenti.
Did you know?
- The term is derived from the Greek 'toxikon', which originally referred to a way of preparing arrows for hunting, rather than modern chemical toxicity.
- The word dipendente is a double entendre in Italian, as it means both 'dependent' or 'addicted' and 'employee'.
- While tossico means 'junkie' in a social context, it is also the literal word for 'toxic' when describing chemicals or waste, such as rifiuti tossici for 'toxic waste'.
Examples in context
- Lui è un tossicodipendenteHe is a junkie
- La sua vita è stata rovinata dal suo comportamento da droghistaHis life has been ruined by his junkie behavior
- Quel ragazzo è un tossicomane, poverinoThat guy is a junkie, poor thing
- Quel ragazzo è un tossicodipendente.That boy is a junkie.
- Non voglio sembrare un tossicodipendente.I don't want to seem like a junkie.
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Martina are discussing a documentary about addiction.
- LorenzoQuel documentario parla della vita di un tossicodipendente.That documentary talks about the life of a junkie.
- MartinaSembra una storia molto triste, Lorenzo.It seems like a very sad story, Lorenzo.
- LorenzoSì, ma mostra come può guarire un tossicodipendente.Yes, but it shows how a junkie can recover.
- MartinaSpero che possa trovare aiuto, Martina.I hope he can find help, Martina.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tossicodipendente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
