Which one should you use?
While English uses 'thick-headed' to imply a lack of intelligence or slow comprehension, the Italian word testardo primarily emphasizes being stubborn. If you specifically want to convey that someone is dull-minded or slow to understand, you may use the formal term ottuso. To express that someone is extremely stubborn or thick-headed, you can use the superlative form testardissimo.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective testardo must agree in gender with the person being described, so use testarda for a woman. The adjective changes to testardi when describing a group of men or a mixed-gender group. The adjective changes to testarde when describing a group of women.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /tesˈtar.do/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- While testardo means stubborn, a person who is truly 'thick-headed' or slow to understand is often called testa di legno, which literally translates to 'wooden head'.
- While testarda describes a stubborn woman, the term capatosta is a common gender-neutral alternative that literally means 'hard head'.
- The term testardo can be used somewhat affectionately to describe a child who is simply very determined, whereas 'thick-headed' is almost always an insult.
Examples in context
- Michele è molto testardo, non riesce mai ad ammettere quando ha torto.Michele is very thick-headed, he never admits when he's wrong.
- Maria non capisce mai le cose al volo, è un po' ottusa.Maria never understands things right away, she's a bit thick-headed.
- Marco non capisce mai le battute, è un muro!Marco never gets jokes, he's thick-headed!
- È un tipo molto testardo.He is a very thick-headed/stubborn type.
- È un po' testardo e non capisce.He is a bit thick-headed and doesn't understand.
- Non essere così testardo con me.Don't be so thick-headed with me.
- Il mio studente è testardo e lento.My student is thick-headed and slow.
Example conversation
Matteo and Giulia are discussing a coworker's inability to learn a new process.
- MatteoLui non impara mai nulla.He never learns anything.
- GiuliaSì, è davvero testardo.Yes, he is really thick-headed.
- MatteoÈ frustrante lavorare con lui.It is frustrating working with him.
- GiuliaTi capisco perfettamente, Matteo.I understand you perfectly, Matteo.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry testardo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
