incolto
/inˈkol.to/
The English phrase 'uncultured' is translated into Italian as incolto.
It also carries a literal, agricultural meaning to describe terreno incolto or uncultivated, fallow land.
Meaning: not cultured (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the negative prefix in- (not) and colto (cultured/cultivated).
Which one should you use?
While incolto specifically refers to a lack of academic or artistic cultivation, ignorante is a broader term for someone lacking knowledge or being rude.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, using the feminine form incolta for female subjects. The masculine plural form incolti is used when referring to a group of men or a mixed-gender group. The feminine plural form incolte is used when referring to a group of women.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /inˈkol.to/.
Did you know?
- While an English speaker might use 'uncultured' to describe someone's lack of taste, calling an Italian person incolto can sound quite harsh and heavy. It often implies a profound, almost primitive lack of civilization rather than just a simple lack of hobbies.
- The word colto (the root of incolto) is also a past participle meaning 'plucked' or 'picked', such as a flower being 'plucked' from a stem.
- In high-literature contexts, incolto can describe a wild, overgrown garden or forest, treating the 'uncultured' state as a romantic aesthetic rather than a negative trait.
Examples in context
- Marco è davvero inculto, non sa nemmeno chi è Leonardo da Vinci.Marco is truly uncultured, he doesn't even know who Leonardo da Vinci is.
- Mia cugina è priva di cultura, non ha mai visitato un museo.My cousin is devoid of culture, she has never visited a museum.
- È proprio ignorante, non sa neanche chi è Verdi!He/she is really uncultured, he/she doesn't even know who Verdi is!
- Giovanni è proprio un cafone, non ha rispetto per l'arte.Giovanni is such an uncultured person, he has no respect for art.
- È un uomo molto incolto.He is a very uncultured man.
- Non mi piace il suo stile incolto.I don't like his uncultured style.
- Si è comportato in modo incolto.He behaved in an uncultured way.
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Giulia are discussing a rude person at a party.
- LorenzoQuel ragazzo è davvero incolto.That guy is really uncultured.
- GiuliaSì, ha parlato in modo molto maleducato.Yes, he spoke very rudely.
- LorenzoNon ha proprio classe.He has no class at all.
- GiuliaHai ragione, Lorenzo.You are right, Lorenzo.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry incolto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
