fregatura
/fre.ɡaˈtu.ra/
The English phrase "ripoff" can be translated into Italian as fregatura.
fregatura is used to describe a situation where someone is cheated or charged far too much money for something. When you want to say "a ripoff", you typically say una fregatura.
What does it mean word for word?
The word comes from the verb fregare, which means to cheat or to rub/scrub.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
fregatura is a common slang term used to describe a swindle or a ripoff. For more formal contexts, you might use truffa, which translates to "fraud" or frode, which also means "fraud" and can be used to convey the sense of being ripped off.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of fregatura is fregature.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /fre.ɡaˈtu.ra/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- While fregatura is the standard term for a ripoff, Italians might use the expression costare un occhio della testa to describe the price, which literally means 'to cost an eye of the head'.
- In Italian slang, the phrase fregarsene uses the same root as fregatura but means 'to not give a damn' or to be completely indifferent.
- The word fregatura shares its root with the English word 'friction', as both stem from the concept of rubbing or sliding.
Examples in context
- Pagare così tanto per un caffè è una rapina!Paying so much for a coffee is a ripoff!
- È stata una vera fregatura!It was a real ripoff!
- Quella cena è stata una fregatura.That dinner was a ripoff.
- Pagare così tanto per un caffè è una fregatura.Paying so much for a coffee is a ripoff.
- Non comprare quel telefono, è una fregatura totale.Don't buy that phone, it's a total ripoff.
Example conversation
Giulia and Lorenzo are discussing a recent purchase at a market.
- GiuliaLorenzo, guarda quanto costa questo orologio!Lorenzo, look how much this watch costs!
- LorenzoSì, è una vera fregatura.Yes, it is a real ripoff.
- GiuliaHai ragione, è troppo caro.You're right, it's too expensive.
- LorenzoLasciamo stare e andiamo via.Let's just forget it and go away.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry fregatura, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fregatura, CC BY-SA 4.0.
