ricco
/ˈrik.ko/
The Italian word for rich is ricco.
Ricco is primarily used to describe someone having financial wealth. However, it can also describe something that is abundant in content, such as a book that is rich in detail.
Meaning: having wealth (adj)
Which one should you use?
When you want to express that something is 'rich in' a specific quality or substance, you should use the construction ricco di.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use ricca for a feminine singular noun, ricchi for a masculine plural noun and ricche for a feminine plural noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈrik.ko/. The stress is on the first of the two syllables.
Did you know?
- The Italian word ricco is not actually derived from Latin, but was borrowed from the Lombardic language, a Germanic tongue spoken by invaders in the early Middle Ages.
- In certain regional Italian expressions, calling someone ricco can be used sarcastically to describe someone who is acting pretentious despite having very little money.
- In Italian, the word ricco is used to describe the 'richness' of a flavor in a way that is similar to English, but it is also the standard term for a 'rich' or 'creamy' sauce.
Examples in context
- So che è ricco.I know you are rich.This sentence shows how to use ricco to state that someone is rich.Tatoeba #1540849 by Guybrush88, translation #17881 by CK
- Tom non è ricco.Tom isn't rich.This sentence uses ricco to express that someone is not rich.Tatoeba #3998363 by Guybrush88, translation #2237009 by CK
- È un uomo ricco.He's a rich man.This sentence demonstrates using ricco as an attributive adjective to describe a man.Tatoeba #4552183 by Guybrush88, translation #8480027 by CH
- Ammiriamo la sua straordinaria ricchezza.We admire his extraordinary wealth.
- Quella famiglia è molto abbiente.That family is very affluent.
- Il signore è un uomo ricco e potente.The gentleman is a wealthy and powerful man.
- Marco è un uomo molto ricco.Marco is a very rich man.
- Giovanna è così abbiente da potersi permettere viaggi di lusso.Giovanna is so wealthy that she can afford luxury trips.
- La famiglia Di Matteo ha fatto fortuna nel settore immobiliare.The Di Matteo family made a fortune in the real estate sector.
- 541 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Alessandro are talking about a neighbor.
- SofiaSecondo te, quel vicino è ricco?Do you think that neighbor is rich?
- AlessandroSì, ha una macchina molto costosa.Yes, he has a very expensive car.
- SofiaVorrei essere ricco come lui.I wish I were rich like him.
- AlessandroSperiamo di diventarlo presto, Sofia.Let's hope to become so soon, Sofia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rich” translations and entries ricco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ricco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
