usura
/uˈzu.ra/
The English phrase 'usury' is translated into Italian as usura.
usura refers to the practice of lending money at illegal or unfair rates. You can use the noun usuraio to refer to a person who practices usury.
Meaning: practice of lending money at illegal or unfair rates (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word usura is pronounced /uˈzu.ra/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The word usura can also refer to the 'wear and tear' of an object, much like how 'use' is used in English, though it is more common to say usura for the physical degradation of machines.
- In Italian history, the fight against usura was heavily driven by the Catholic Church, which for centuries viewed any amount of interest on a loan as a mortal sin.
- The Italian term for a person who practices this, usuraio, can be used colloquially to describe someone who is extremely stingy or tight-fisted with their money.
Examples in context
- La pratica dell'usura è illegale in molti paesi.Usury practices are illegal in many countries.
- Le autorità stanno indagando su quella pratica usuraia.Authorities are investigating that usurious practice.
- Mi hanno offerto un prestito a tassi usurai!They offered me a loan with usurious interest rates!
- Ho dovuto accettare un prestito a strozzo per pagare le mie spese mediche.I had to accept an usurious loan to pay for my medical expenses.
- Il tasso d'usura è illegale.The usury rate is illegal.
- L'usura è un reato molto grave.Usury is a very serious crime.
- Dobbiamo combattere l'usura nelle nostre città.We must fight usury in our cities.
- Molte persone soffrono a causa dell'usura.Many people suffer because of usury.
Example conversation
Giulia and Matteo are discussing a news report about local crime.
- GiuliaHai letto l'articolo sull'usura?Did you read the article about usury?
- MatteoSì, è una situazione terribile per molti.Yes, it is a terrible situation for many.
- GiuliaMatteo, l'usura distrugge le vite delle persone.Matteo, usury destroys people's lives.
- MatteoHai ragione, la legge deve intervenire.You are right, the law must intervene.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry usura, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
