Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| stupido | /ˈstu.pi.do/ |
| scemo | /ˈʃe.mo/ |
The term is used to describe someone or something that is lacking in intelligence.
Which one should you use?
While stupido is a direct translation of 'stupid', scemo is a more common and colloquial way to call someone 'stupid' or 'dim-witted' in everyday speech.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
stupido is a literal way to express the concept, whereas scemo is colloquial and its tone can range from lighthearted teasing to a mild insult. For very formal situations, you might use insensato or insensata to indicate that something lacks common sense or reasoning.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective stupido must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use stupida for feminine singular nouns, stupidi for masculine plural nouns or groups and stupide for feminine plural nouns or groups.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈstu.pi.do/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- If an Italian calls someone una testa di rapa, they are literally calling them 'a turnip head' to say they are stupid.
- The word stupido shares the same Latin root as the English word 'stupor', referring to a state of numbness or being stunned.
- The word scemo comes from the verb scemare, which originally meant 'to diminish' or 'to waste away'. In this context, calling someone scemo implies their intelligence has diminished.
Examples in context
- È stupido o cosa?Are you stupid or what?This sentence uses stupido to ask if someone is being stupid.Tatoeba #7536526 by Guybrush88, translation #5747811 by CM
- Lui non è stupido.He is not stupid.This sentence uses stupido to state that someone is not stupid.Tatoeba #2550073 by Guybrush88, translation #302395 by CK
- Che stupido che è!How stupid he is!This sentence uses stupido to express an exclamation about someone's stupidity.Tatoeba #2577122 by Guybrush88, translation #36117 by CM
- Maria ha fatto una scelta sciocca.Maria made a silly choice.
- Marco ha detto qualcosa di sciocco.Marco said something foolish.
- La decisione presa è insensata.The decision made is nonsensical.
- Non dire cose stupide!Don't say stupid things!
- Quella mossa è davvero stupida!That move is really dumb!
- Non capisco perché ha fatto una cosa così imbecille.I don't understand why he/she did such a stupid thing.
- Sei un imbecille!You're an idiot!
- È proprio uno scemo!He/she is really dumb!
- Ahaha, sei proprio uno stupido simpatico!Hahaha, you're such a lovable fool!
- 488 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Martina are discussing a mistake made by a friend.
- LorenzoHai visto cosa ha fatto Marco?Did you see what Marco did?
- MartinaSì, è stato davvero stupido.Yes, he was really stupid.
- LorenzoNon capisco il suo comportamento.I don't understand his behavior.
- MartinaA volte è proprio un tipo stupido.Sometimes he is just a stupid guy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stupid” translations and entries stupido, scemo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries scemo, stupido, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
