rifugiato
/ri.fuˈd͡ʒa.to/
The English word 'refugee' is translated into Italian as rifugiato.
The term refers to a person who has been granted formal asylum. The phrase crisi dei rifugiati is used to mean 'refugee crisis'.
Meaning: person granted formal asylum (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective-based noun, rifugiato changes its ending to match the gender and number of the person or people being described. Use rifugiata to refer to a single female refugee. To describe a group of male refugees or a mixed group of men and women, use the masculine plural rifugiati. If you are referring to a group consisting exclusively of female refugees, use the feminine plural rifugiate.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ri.fuˈdʒa.to/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- The English word 'fugitive' is a linguistic cousin to rifugiato, as both derive from the same Latin root meaning 'to flee'.
- The noun rifugio means 'refuge' or 'shelter', but it is also the common Italian word for a 'mountain hut' or 'alpine cabin'.
- In Italian, the verb rifugiarsi is often used colloquially to describe retreating into a safe space, such as when someone says they are 'taking refuge' in their bedroom to avoid a family argument.
Examples in context
- Tom è un rifugiato.Tom is a refugee.This sentence is useful for identifying a specific person using the form rifugiato.Tatoeba #1177770 by Guybrush88, translation #1167536 by CK
- Io sono un rifugiato.I'm a refugee.This sentence is useful for identifying oneself using the form rifugiato.Tatoeba #6702884 by Guybrush88, translation #5852761 by CK
- È un rifugiato.He's a refugee.This sentence is useful for identifying a third party using the form rifugiato.Tatoeba #8497474 by Guybrush88, translation #8478412 by CH
- Ho lavorato con un gruppo di rifugiati nella capitale.I worked with a group of refugees in the capital.
- Mio cugino è un profugo proveniente dalla Siria.My cousin is a refugee from Syria.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Lorenzo are discussing a news report about a global crisis.
- SofiaQuell'uomo è un rifugiato politico.That man is a political refugee.
- LorenzoSì, ha chiesto asilo in Italia.Yes, he asked for asylum in Italy.
- SofiaSpero che ogni rifugiato trovi pace.I hope every refugee finds peace.
- LorenzoSperiamo di cuore, Sofia.We sincerely hope so, Sofia.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry rifugiato, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
