abusare
/a.buˈza.re/
In Italian, the word for misuse is abusare.
abusare is a verb meaning to misuse, use incorrectly or use unlawfully. When you want to refer to the concept of a misuse or an abuse as a noun, you use l'abuso.
Meaning: incorrect, improper or unlawful use (noun)
Which one should you use?
While abusare is the standard verb, you can use the formal noun abuso to express misuse or the formal phrase utilizzo improprio specifically to mean 'improper use'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb abusare is intransitive. When you want to say you are misusing or abusing something or someone, you must use the preposition di after the verb (e.g., abusare di qualcosa).
How do you pronounce it?
/a.buˈza.re/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use abusare as a transitive verb by following it directly with an object (such as abusare qualcosa). Instead, always use the preposition di (such as abusare di qualcosa).
Did you know?
- In Italian, the verb abusare can also mean to 'overindulge' in things like food or drink, much like the English 'to indulge' but with a sense of excess.
- While abusare means to misuse, the related word abusivo is often used to describe illegal construction, such as a building built without a permit.
- The English word 'abuse' and the Italian abuso share the same Latin root, *abusus, meaning 'a use that is bad or excessive'.
Examples in context
- Il cliente ha abusato del sistema di restituzioni.The customer misused the return system.
- Devi evitare l'utilizzo improprio degli attrezzi.You should avoid the misuse of the tools.
- Il misuso degli antibiotici sta diventando un problema diffuso.The misuse of antibiotics is becoming a widespread issue.
- Ha sprecato quel talento artistico!He misused that artistic talent!
- Hai usato male questa parola.You used this word incorrectly.
- Non utilizzare l'e-mail aziendale in modo sbagliato.Do not misuse the company email.
- Non fare un uso scorretto di quella informazione.Do not misuse that information.
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Sofia are discussing office ethics.
- LorenzoSofia, non dovresti abusare della stampante dell'ufficio.Sofia, you shouldn't misuse the office printer.
- SofiaPerché lo dici, Lorenzo?Why do you say that, Lorenzo?
- LorenzoStai stampando documenti personali per ore.You have been printing personal documents for hours.
- SofiaHai ragione, chiedo scusa.You are right, I apologize.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry abusare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abusare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
