decifrare
/de.t͡ʃiˈfra.re/
The English phrase 'unscramble' translates to the Italian verb decifrare.
decifrare is used to mean 'to decrypt'.
Meaning: to decrypt (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The infinitive form is decifrare. The second person singular present indicative form is decifri (you unscramble), and the first person plural present indicative form is decifriamo (we unscramble). The past participle is decifrato (deciphered / unscrambled).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /de.tʃiˈfra.re/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- The Italian word for 'cipher' or 'digit' is cifra, which shares a root with the Arabic word sifr meaning 'empty'. This is also the origin of the English word 'cipher' and 'zero'.
- While decifrare is used for technical decryption, Italians often use the phrase mettere in ordine to describe unscrambling a physical mess or a disorganized set of data.
- Italian uses decifrare for things that are obscured by a key or a code, but for a 'jumbled' word puzzle, Italians might instead use risolvere meaning 'to solve'.
Examples in context
- Dovrai decifrare queste parole per completare il cruciverba.You'll need to unscramble these words to complete the crossword puzzle.
- Ho bisogno di riordinare queste parole per fare una frase sensata.I need to unscramble these words to make a meaningful sentence.
- Dobbiamo decifrare questo messaggio segreto.We need to decrypt this secret message.
- Il computer riesce a decifrare il codice.The computer can decrypt the code.
- Non riesco a decifrare la sua grafia.I can't decrypt (read) his handwriting.
Example conversation
Giulia and Alessandro are looking at an old, coded letter in a library.
- GiuliaAlessandro, riesci a decifrare questo testo?Alessandro, can you decrypt this text?
- AlessandroÈ molto difficile, ma ci proverò.It is very difficult, but I will try.
- GiuliaSpero che tu possa decifrare tutto.I hope you can decrypt everything.
- AlessandroLo farò, Giulia, vedrai.I will do it, Giulia, you'll see.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry decifrare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
