privo di tatto
/ˈpri.vo di ˈtat.to/word by word
The Italian word for tactless is privo di tatto.
While it specifically targets a lack of tact, you might encounter the word maleducato if you want to describe someone who is generally rude or lacks basic manners.
Meaning: without tact (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of privo (devoid or deprived), di (of) and tatto (tact or touch).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the adjective changes to match the gender and number of the person or noun being described. To describe a female person or a feminine noun, use the feminine form priva di tatto. For a group of men or a mixed-gender group, use the masculine plural form privi di tatto. To describe a group of women, use the feminine plural form prive di tatto.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈpri.vo di ˈtat.to/. It has four syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- Because tatto means touch, saying someone is privo di tatto can occasionally be a pun in Italian, referring to both a clumsy personality and a literal lack of physical feeling.
- While privo di tatto describes a specific lack of sensitivity, Italians often use maleducato for tactlessness. This literally translates to 'badly educated', implying that a lack of tact is a failure of one's upbringing.
- In Italian, you can describe someone as having zero tatto. This colloquial expression is more common in casual speech than the formal privo di tatto.
Examples in context
- Il suo commento è stato molto indelicatoHis comment was very tactless
- Non ha mostrato alcuna sensibilità, è stato davvero insensibileHe showed no sensitivity, he was truly tactless
- La sua risposta è stata davvero sconvenienteHis response was truly tactless
- Ha fatto un commento davvero scorrettoHe made a really tactless comment
- Non capisco perché sia sempre così sgarbatoI don't understand why he's always so tactless
- È stato davvero brusco durante la riunioneHe was really tactless during the meeting
- È stato davvero privo di tatto.He was truly tactless.
- Il tuo commento è stato privo di tatto.Your comment was tactless.
- Non essere privo di tatto con gli ospiti.Don't be tactless with the guests.
Example conversation
Alessandro and Giulia are discussing a colleague's behavior at a dinner party.
- AlessandroMarco è stato molto sgarbato stasera.Marco was very rude tonight.
- GiuliaSì, è stato decisamente privo di tatto.Yes, he was definitely tactless.
- AlessandroHa fatto domande troppo personali.He asked too many personal questions.
- GiuliaÈ stato un comportamento molto spiacevole.It was very unpleasant behavior.
