gonfio
/ˈɡon.fjo/
The English word 'puffy' is translated into Italian as gonfio.
The adjective is used to describe something that is inflated.
Meaning: inflated (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word gonfio is derived from the verb gonfiare, which means 'to inflate' or 'to swell'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use gonfia for feminine singular nouns, gonfi for masculine plural nouns and gonfie for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈɡon.fjo/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- While gonfio describes the physical state of being inflated, Italians often use the verb gonfiare to mean 'to lie' or 'to exaggerate' a story. This suggests the story has been 'blown up' beyond its true size.
- The word gonfio is often used to describe someone who is 'full of themselves' or acting arrogant. In this figurative sense, it implies a person is 'inflated' with pride.
- To describe something that is 'puffy' in the sense of being fluffy or soft, like a cloud or a pillow, Italians often prefer soffice rather than gonfio, which implies pressure or swelling.
Examples in context
- Le nuvole bianche nel cielo erano così soffici che sembravano morbidi cuscini giganti.The white clouds in the sky were so puffy that they looked like giant soft pillows.
- occhi gonfipuffy eyes
Example conversation
Alessandro tells Martina about a bee sting.
- AlessandroMartina, guarda come è gonfio il mio braccio!Martina, look how puffy my arm is!
- MartinaAccidenti, ti ha punto un insetto?Oh my, did an insect sting you?
- AlessandroSì, è diventato gonfio in pochi minuti.Yes, it became puffy in a few minutes.
- MartinaMettici subito del ghiaccio, Alessandro.Put some ice on it right away, Alessandro.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gonfio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
