Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| magro | /ˈma.ɡro/ | masculine |
| tutta pelle | /ˈtut.ta ˈpɛl.le/ (word by word) | |
| scarnito | /skarˈni.to/ | |
| scheletrico | /skeˈlɛ.tri.ko/ | |
| pelle e ossa | /ˈpɛl.le ˈe ˈɔs.sa/ (word by word) | |
| emaciato | /e.maˈt͡ʃa.to/ | |
| secco | /ˈsek.ko/ | |
| smilzo |
In Italian, several words can describe being thin, ranging from a neutral description of a body type to extreme, unhealthy states. The phrase pelle e ossa is an idiom used to describe someone who is extremely skinny, much like the English expression 'skin and bones'.
Which one should you use?
While magro can be used neutrally to describe someone who is naturally thin or slightly underweight, other terms carry different weights. Use scheletrico to emphasize an extreme, bony thinness that is more intense than just being magro. Use emaciato specifically if you want to describe someone who is dangerously thin due to illness or starvation.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective magro must agree with the gender and number of the person being described: use magra for a female, magri for a group of males or a mixed group and magre for a group of females.
How do you pronounce it?
magro is pronounced /ˈma.ɡro/. The stress is on the first of the two syllables.
Did you know?
- While magro is the standard word for 'thin', the term secco literally means 'dry' and is used to describe someone who is extremely thin and gaunt.
- If you describe someone as scarnito, you are implying they have been 'stripped of flesh', often used in a more visceral or harsh way than simply saying they are thin.
- The word pelle in the phrase pelle e ossa comes from the Latin word pellis, which also refers to 'cloth' or 'hides'.
Examples in context
- Tom non è magro.Tom isn't skinny.This sentence shows how to negate the adjective magro.Tatoeba #4247362 by Guybrush88, translation #3360559 by CK
- Lei è così magro.You're so skinny.This sentence demonstrates how to emphasize the degree of being magro.Tatoeba #2874981 by Guybrush88, translation #2869051 by Hybrid
- Perché è così magro?Why are you so skinny?This sentence is a way to ask someone why they are so magro.Tatoeba #5686816 by Guybrush88, translation #6713436 by Eccles17
- Sono sempre stato magrolino, ma ora sto cercando di mettere su un po' di muscoli.I've always been skinny, but now I'm trying to build some muscles.
- Non c'è bisogno di preoccuparti, sei bella proprio così magrolina!There's no need to worry, you're beautiful just the way you are, skinny!
- Guardati allo specchio, sei proprio un grissino!Look at yourself in the mirror, you're such a breadstick!
- Ho bisogno di mangiare di più, sembro un grissino!I need to eat more, I look like a breadstick!
- Mia sorella è magra come un chiodo, ma mangia tantissimo.My sister is as skinny as a nail, but she eats a lot.
- Non ho mai avuto molta carne addosso, ho sempre avuto le ossa in mostra.I've never had much flesh on me, I've always had bones showing.
- 45 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Chiara are talking about a mutual friend.
- AlessandroHai visto Marco? È diventato molto magro.Have you seen Marco? He has become very skinny.
- ChiaraSì, forse sta seguendo una dieta.Yes, maybe he is following a diet.
- AlessandroSpero che stia bene comunque.I hope he is doing well anyway.
- ChiaraAnche io, sembra quasi un altro.Me too, he almost looks like a different person.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “skinny” translations and entries magro, scarnito, scheletrico, pelle e ossa, emaciato, secco, smilzo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (tutta, pelle, e, ossa) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries magro, pelle, scheletrico, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
