brillo
/ˈbril.lo/
The English phrase tipsy is translated into Italian as brillo. Wiktionary also lists alticcio.
Meaning: slightly drunk (adj)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| brillo | /ˈbril.lo/ |
| alticcio |
brillo is used to describe someone who is slightly drunk. It is very common to use the phrase un po' brillo (a little tipsy) to soften the description of how intoxicated a person is.
Which one should you use?
While both brillo and alticcio mean tipsy, brillo is the more common and neutral term. In contrast, alticcio can sometimes imply a person is in a more boisterous or slightly more intoxicated state.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective brillo must agree in gender and number with the person being described. Use brilla for a feminine singular subject, brilli for a masculine plural subject and brille for a feminine plural subject.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈbril.lo/. The stress is on the first of the two syllables.
Did you know?
- The word brillo shares its spelling with the verb brillare, which means 'to shine'.
- The word alticcio uses the suffix -iccio, which in Italian often adds a pejorative or slightly negative connotation to the base word.
- In a formal setting, an Italian speaker might avoid brillo and instead say essere sotto l'effetto dell'alcol, which means 'to be under the effect of alcohol'.
Examples in context
- È un po' brillo.He's a little tipsy.This sentence is useful for saying someone is a little tipsy using brillo.Tatoeba #4089722 by Guybrush88, translation #2258567 by _undertoad
- Tom è un po' brillo.Tom is a little tipsy.This sentence is useful for saying Tom is a little tipsy using brillo.Tatoeba #3106379 by Guybrush88, translation #2547008 by CK
- Dopo due bicchieri di vino, mi sento un po' brillo.After two glasses of wine, I feel a bit tipsy.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Lorenzo are at a party.
- GiuliaMa Lorenzo, sei proprio brillo!But Lorenzo, you are really tipsy!
- LorenzoNon è vero, sto bene.That's not true, I'm fine.
- GiuliaStai ridendo per niente, sei brillo.You're laughing for no reason, you're tipsy.
- LorenzoOk, forse bevo un bicchiere d'acqua.Okay, maybe I'll drink a glass of water.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tipsy” translations and entries brillo, alticcio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alticcio, brillo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
