mostro
/ˈmos.tro/masculine
The Italian word for monster is mostro.
A mostro is a terrifying or dangerous creature. Similar to English, it can be used figuratively to describe a person who is exceptionally cruel or wicked.
Meaning: terrifying dangerous creature (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular form is mostro, and the plural form is mostri.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈmos.tro/.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the word mostro can sometimes be used in a positive, hyperbolic way to describe a person with an incredible, almost supernatural talent for something, such as playing an instrument.
- The Italian word mostro shares an ancestor with the English word 'monstrance', the vessel used in churches to display the Eucharist.
- Italian has a specific expression fare il mostro which can be used colloquially to describe someone acting out or throwing a temper tantrum, especially a child.
Examples in context
- Tom è un mostro.Tom is a monster.This sentence shows how to use mostro to identify someone.Tatoeba #5660278 by dnnywld, translation #2272836 by CK
- Lui è un mostro.He's a monster.This sentence uses mostro to describe a person with the pronoun 'He'.Tatoeba #7022251 by Guybrush88, translation #6994042 by Eccles17
- Sami diventò un mostro.Sami became a monster.This sentence demonstrates the verb usage for becoming a mostro.Tatoeba #7152218 by Guybrush88, translation #7141444 by OsoHombre
- Nel libro, il mostro era descritto come un essere terrificante.In the book, the monster was described as a terrifying being.
- La leggenda narra di un'antica creatura mostruosa che abitava nelle profondità del mare.The legend tells of an ancient monstrous creature dwelling in the depths of the sea.
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Martina are watching a horror movie together.
- MartinaQuello è un mostro terribile!That is a terrible monster!
- LorenzoSì, è davvero spaventoso.Yes, it is truly scary.
- MartinaNon voglio vedere il mostro.I don't want to see the monster.
- LorenzoNon preoccuparti, Martina, è solo un film.Don't worry, Martina, it's just a movie.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “monster” translations and entries mostro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mostro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
