sepsi
/ˈsɛ.psi/
The English term sepsis is translated into Italian as sepsi.
sepsi refers to the serious medical condition in which the whole body is inflamed.
Meaning: serious medical condition in which the whole body is inflamed (noun)
Which one should you use?
You may encounter the formal terms Setticemia or Infezione settica.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈsɛ.psi/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word sepsi comes from the Ancient Greek word sḗps, which referred to a lizard or serpent whose bite was believed to cause rot.
- While sepsi is the technical term, an Italian patient is more likely to describe the condition as sangue infetto, which means 'infected blood'.
- The term setticemia includes the suffix -emia, which specifically draws attention to the blood, a detail not present in the word sepsi.
Examples in context
- Ho setticemia.I have sepsis.
- Il paziente ha un'infezione settica.The patient is suffering from sepsis.
- La sepsi è una condizione molto pericolosa.Sepsis is a very dangerous condition.
- Il medico ha diagnosticato una sepsi fulminante.The doctor diagnosed fulminant sepsis.
- Bisogna intervenire subito per evitare la sepsi.One must intervene immediately to avoid sepsis.
Example conversation
A doctor is explaining a diagnosis to a worried relative in a hospital.
- FrancescoIl paziente ha sviluppato una sepsi grave.The patient has developed severe sepsis.
- MartinaÈ molto grave per lui?Is it very serious for him?
- FrancescoSì, la sepsi richiede cure intensive.Yes, sepsis requires intensive care.
- MartinaSpero che la sua situazione migliori.I hope his situation improves.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sepsis” translations and entries sepsi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sepsi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
