riservato
/ri.zerˈva.to/
The Italian word for secretive is riservato.
When describing a person, riservato can mean both 'secretive' and 'reserved'. While the English 'secretive' can sometimes suggest that someone is being suspicious or shady, the Italian riservato is often a neutral or even positive way to describe someone who is private, dignified or simply keeps to themselves.
Meaning: having an inclination to secrecy (adj)
Which one should you use?
In a formal context, you may also encounter the word discreto, which can convey the idea of someone being secretive or discreet.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the person or people being described. Use riservata for a woman, riservati for a group of men or a mixed-gender group and riservate for a group of women.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable: /ri.zerˈva.to/.
Did you know?
- The word riservato is the same term found on signs to indicate that a table at a restaurant or a room in a hotel is 'reserved'.
- The quality of being riservato is closely tied to la bella figura, the cultural practice of presenting oneself with elegance and social grace.
- If an Italian wants to describe someone as secretive in a negative or suspicious way, they often use the word chiuso, which literally means 'closed'.
Examples in context
- Tom è molto riservato.Tom is very secretive.This sentence is useful for describing how Tom is very secretive using riservato.Tatoeba #2968772 by Guybrush88, translation #2968770 by CK
- Lui è molto riservato.He's very secretive.This sentence is useful for describing how he is very secretive using riservato.Tatoeba #5199874 by Guybrush88, translation #2968706 by Hybrid
- Perché è così riservato?Why are you being so secretive?This sentence is useful for asking why someone is being so secretive using riservato.Tatoeba #8030052 by Guybrush88, translation #36395 by CK
- Il mio collega è molto riservato, non si sa mai cosa pensa veramente.My colleague is very secretive, you never know what he really thinks.
- La ragazza che vive nell'appartamento accanto sembra molto misteriosa.The girl who lives in the apartment next door seems very secretive.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Francesco are talking about a new colleague at work.
- SofiaIl nuovo collega è molto riservato.The new colleague is very secretive.
- FrancescoSì, non parla mai della sua vita.Yes, he never talks about his life.
- SofiaFrancesco, lo trovi troppo misterioso?Francesco, do you find him too mysterious?
- FrancescoUn po', ma è un bravo ragazzo.A little bit, but he is a good guy.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry riservato, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
