sfortunato
/sfor.tuˈna.to/
The English word unlucky is translated into Italian as sfortunato.
sfortunato is used to describe a person or thing that is having ill luck.
Meaning: having ill luck (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the prefix s- (a negation or reversal) and fortunato (lucky).
Which one should you use?
While sfortunato describes a person or thing, the noun sfortuna is used to refer to the concept of bad luck itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the person or group being described. Use sfortunato for a masculine singular subject, sfortunata for a feminine singular subject, sfortunati for a masculine plural or mixed-gender group and sfortunate for a group of only women.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable: /sfor.tuˈna.to/.
Did you know?
- In Italy, feeling sfortunato is often linked to the 'malocchio' or evil eye. To ward off this specific kind of bad luck, many Italians carry a 'cornicello', a small red horn-shaped amulet.
- The number 17 is viewed as sfortunato in Italy, which is a sharp departure from the number 13 being the traditional unlucky number in English-speaking cultures.
- Italian has a specific word, jella, to describe a sudden streak of bad luck. While sfortunato is a general state, jella is often used as an exclamation when something unlucky happens in the moment.
Examples in context
- Tom è molto sfortunato.Tom is very unlucky.This sentence is useful for showing how to describe someone as very unlucky using sfortunato.Tatoeba #3403723 by Guybrush88, translation #3403491 by CK
- Io sono così sfortunato!I'm so unlucky!This sentence is useful for expressing how unlucky you feel using sfortunato.Tatoeba #4412793 by Guybrush88, translation #448426 by CK
- È stato sfortunato, vero?You've been unlucky, haven't you?This sentence is useful for asking a question about someone being unlucky using sfortunato.Tatoeba #6897264 by Guybrush88, translation #6896482 by CK
- Sono sfortunato a causa del maltempoI am unlucky due to the bad weather
- Povero sfortunello, ha perso le chiavi di casaPoor little unlucky guy, he lost his house keys
- Ho avuto un giorno molto sfortunato.I had a very unlucky day.
- 102 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Francesco are talking about a lost wallet.
- ChiaraFrancesco, sei stato molto sfortunato oggi.Francesco, you have been very unlucky today.
- FrancescoSì, ho perso il portafoglio.Yes, I lost my wallet.
- ChiaraMi dispiace tanto per te.I am so sorry for you.
- FrancescoGrazie, Chiara, lo apprezzo.Thanks, Chiara, I appreciate it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sfortunato, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
