sei un idiota
/ˈsɛj un iˈdjɔ.ta/word by word
The phrase for "you're an idiot" in Italian is sei un idiota.
This phrase is used to tell someone that they are stupid. The core word idiota can function as both a noun and an adjective.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsɛj un iˈdjɔ.ta/
Did you know?
- The word idiota actually comes from a term meaning 'a person without public office' or a 'layman'. In Ancient Greece, it described someone who did not participate in politics, rather than someone lacking intelligence.
- If you want to increase the intensity of the insult, you can add the word proprio before idiota. This transforms the phrase into something closer to 'you are a real idiot' or 'you are a complete idiot'.
- In certain Italian dialects, particularly in the south, a person might be called fesso. While it translates to 'fool', it carries a connotation of being easily tricked or gullible in a way that idiota does not.
Examples in context
- Tu sei un idiota!You're an idiot.Tatoeba #1124855 by Guybrush88, translation #461945 by tamsanh
- Non capisci mai niente, vero? Ti stai comportando come un idiota.You never understand anything, do you? You're acting like an idiot.
- Guarda cosa hai fatto, sei un idiota!Look what you've done, you're an idiot!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo accidentally spills water on his phone.
- MatteoHo bagnato il telefono!I got my phone wet!
- MartinaMa guarda, sei un idiota!Look at you, you're an idiot!
- MatteoNon dirmelo, sono triste.Don't tell me, I'm sad.
- MartinaSì, Matteo, sei proprio un idiota.Yes, Matteo, you really are an idiot.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (sei, un, idiota) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries idiota, sei, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
