marcio
/ˈmar.t͡ʃo/
The English word 'rotten' is translated into Italian as marcio.
marcio is used to describe something that is decayed or has gone bad. Just as in English, it can be used metaphorically to describe a person who is morally corrupt. For example, the expression marcio fino al midollo means 'rotten to the core'.
Meaning: decayed, gone bad (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective marcio must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. Use marcia for the feminine singular, marci for the masculine plural and marce for the feminine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
marcio is pronounced /ˈmar.tʃo/. The stress is on the first of the two syllables.
Did you know?
- The word marcio shares its Latin ancestor marcēre with the English word 'macerate', which means to soften something by soaking it.
- While marcio describes decay, Italians use the word guasto to describe food that has simply gone bad or spoiled, such as milk.
- The phrase marcio fino al midollo refers to the 'bone marrow', emphasizing that the corruption reaches the deepest part of the skeletal system.
Examples in context
- Odori di uovo marcio.You smell like a rotten egg.This sentence is useful for describing the smell of a marcio egg.Tatoeba #11727894 by Guybrush88, translation #9773266 by Nylez
- È marcio fino al midollo.He is rotten to the core.This sentence shows how to use the expression marcio fino al midollo.Tatoeba #3468805 by Guybrush88, translation #296453 by CC
- Le lanciò un uovo marcio.He threw a rotten egg at her.This sentence shows how to use the word marcio to describe an egg being thrown.Tatoeba #11727946 by Guybrush88, translation #8516407 by CH
- La frutta è marcia.The fruit is rotten.
- Quell'idea è marcia.That idea is rotten.
- Quel cibo è putrefatto.That food is rotten.
- La carne è putrefatta.The meat is rotten.
- Il sistema è corrotto.The system is rotten.
- Lui è un tipo marcio.He's a rotten guy.
- Hanno tirato una mela marcia.They threw a rotten apple.
- Quella persona è marcia fino al midollo.That person is rotten to the core.
- Quel ragazzo è un fetente.That boy is a rotten person.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina and Lorenzo are checking the vegetables in the kitchen.
- MartinaLorenzo, guarda questo pomodoro.Lorenzo, look at this tomato.
- LorenzoOddio, è completamente marcio!Oh my god, it's completely rotten!
- MartinaButtalo subito nel cestino.Throw it in the bin immediately.
- LorenzoSì, lo faccio subito.Yes, I'll do it right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rotten” translations and entries marcio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries marcio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
