Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| di cattivo gusto | |
| tamarro | /taˈmar.ro/ |
| pacchiano | /pakˈkja.no/ |
The term di cattivo gusto is the most versatile and neutral way to describe something that is tacky or inappropriate, whether it refers to an object or a social behavior.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase di cattivo gusto is a literal translation of 'of bad taste'.
Which one should you use?
While di cattivo gusto is a general description of bad taste, pacchiano specifically implies something is gaudy, loud or showily tasteless. In contrast, tamarro is used more to describe a person or a specific subculture perceived as tacky or low-class, rather than just an object's aesthetic.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective pacchiano must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, changing to pacchiana for feminine nouns and it changes to pacchiani when describing a masculine plural noun.
Did you know?
- The word cattivo evolved from the Latin word for 'captive'. It shifted meaning because being captured was often associated with being 'caught by the devil'.
- The word pacchiano originates from Southern Italian dialects rather than standard Tuscan Italian.
- A person described as tamarro is often viewed as trying too hard to look wealthy or powerful through ostentatious displays.
Examples in context
- L'arredamento del locale è davvero volgare.The interior design of the venue is really tacky.
- Quella festa era organizzata in modo davvero di cattivo gusto.That party was organized in a really tacky way.
- Quella maglietta è davvero kitsch!That t-shirt is really tacky!
- Lucia ha una casa piena di oggetti pacchiani.Lucia has a house full of tacky/gaudy objects.
- Quel vestito è proprio cafone!That dress is really tacky/uncultured!
- Hai visto quella macchina? È davvero truzza!Have you seen that car? It's really tacky/trashy!
- Quel vestito è un po' di cattivo gusto.That dress is a bit in bad taste.
- Troppi colori accesi possono essere di cattivo gusto.Too many bright colors can be in bad taste.
- Penso che quel regalo sia di cattivo gusto.I think that gift is in bad taste.
Example conversation
Francesco and Martina are looking at a new piece of furniture in a shop.
- FrancescoGuarda quella lampada dorata, è troppo di cattivo gusto.Look at that golden lamp, it is way too tacky.
- MartinaHai ragione, Francesco, non mi piace affatto.You're right, Francesco, I don't like it at all.
- FrancescoScegliamo qualcosa di più elegante per la casa.Let's choose something more elegant for the house.
- MartinaSì, cerchiamo un modello più sobrio.Yes, let's look for a more subtle model.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tacky” translations and entries tamarro, pacchiano, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cattivo, di, gusto, pacchiano, tamarro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
