stupido
/ˈstu.pi.do/
The English phrase 'stupid person' is translated into Italian as stupido.
The word stupido can function as an adjective to describe a person or as a noun meaning 'a stupid person'. Other ways to describe someone depending on the nuance include babbeo for someone who is silly or foolish, and cretino to convey a sense of idiocy or imbecility.
Which one should you use?
While stupido is a general term, persona sciocca can be used to describe a stupid person in a more formal manner and individuo poco intelligente translates to 'unintelligent individual'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes to agree with the subject: stupida is used for a female subject, stupidi is the masculine plural for a group of men or a mixed group and stupide is the feminine plural for a group of women.
How do you pronounce it?
stupido is pronounced /ˈstu.pi.do/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- To describe someone who is 'stupid' in the sense of being a 'blockhead', Italians use the phrase testa di legno, which literally means 'head of wood'.
- The Latin root of stupido originally meant 'stunned' or 'amazed'. In its earliest sense, it described someone so shocked they were unable to speak or act, rather than someone lacking intelligence.
- Calling someone fesso is a way to label them as 'stupid' or 'easy to fool', and it is particularly common in Rome and central Italy.
Examples in context
- Marco è una persona sciocca perché non ha studiato per l'esame.Marco is a stupid person because he didn't study for the exam.
- Non si può discutere con quell'individuo poco intelligente.You cannot argue with that unintelligent individual.
- Non puoi fidarti di Antonio, è un babbeo!You can't trust Antonio, he's a stupid person!
- Quel ragazzo è proprio un cretino, non ha alcun senso dell'umorismo.That guy is a complete idiot, he has no sense of humor.
- Quel ragazzo è uno stupido.That boy is a stupid person.
- È stato uno stupido a fare questo.He was a stupid person to do this.
Example conversation
Matteo and Chiara are talking about a coworker's mistake.
- MatteoÈ stato uno stupido a cancellare tutto.He was a stupid person to delete everything.
- ChiaraSì, è stato molto poco attento.Yes, he was very careless.
- MatteoNon voglio lavorare con uno stupido.I don't want to work with a stupid person.
- ChiaraCalmati, Matteo, non è sempre così.Calm down, Matteo, it's not always like that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry stupido, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries stupido, CC BY-SA 4.0.
