pagano
/paˈɡa.no/masculine
The English word 'pagan' is translated into Italian as pagano.
The word pagano is a noun used to describe a person who does not adhere to a main world religion.
Meaning: person not adhering to a main world religion (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word can be used as both a noun and an adjective. For the noun or adjective, use the feminine form pagana, the masculine plural form pagani or the feminine plural form pagane.
How do you pronounce it?
pagano is pronounced /paˈɡa.no/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The Italian word shares a common ancestor with the word 'pageant', which relates to the display of rural or folk traditions.
- The transition from 'villager' to 'non-believer' happened because early Christian missionaries found it harder to reach the isolated 'pāgus' regions.
- While pagano refers to non-believers, Italians use the word eretico for someone who believes in the religion but holds the 'wrong' views.
Examples in context
- Tom è un prete pagano.Tom is a pagan priest.This sentence is useful for showing the use of pagano as an adjective for a priest.Tatoeba #13313049 by Guybrush88, translation #11607489 by shekitten
- Sua madre era una cristiana e suo padre un pagano, ma questo non era affatto un problema per loro.Her mother was a Christian and her father a pagan, but this wasn't a problem for them at all.This sentence demonstrates the use of pagano as a noun.Tatoeba #3116032 by Guybrush88, translation #576035 by FeuDRenais2
- Il pagano crede in molte divinità.The pagan believes in many deities.
- Maria è una studiosa delle religioni antiche, potremmo considerarla pagana.Maria is a scholar of ancient religions, we could consider her a pagan.
- Devono rispettare la libertà di religione, anche per i pagani.They must respect religious freedom, including for pagans.
- Francesco crede nella natura come forza divina, lo definirei un pagano.Francesco believes in nature as a divine force, I'd call him a pagan.
- Il vecchio filosofo era un pagano.The old philosopher was a pagan.
Example conversation
Sofia and Matteo are discussing their beliefs.
- SofiaMatteo, credi in un dio?Matteo, do you believe in a god?
- MatteoSì, ma sono un pagano.Yes, but I am a pagan.
- SofiaNon lo sapevo, è interessante.I didn't know that, it's interesting.
- MatteoSì, preferisco questo percorso.Yes, I prefer this path.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pagan” translations and entries pagano, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
