Sei cattivo
/ˈsɛj katˈti.vo/word by word
The English phrase 'you're mean' is translated into Italian as Sei cattivo.
It can also be used in an informal way to say something like 'You're as mean as a hyena!' using Sei cattivo come una iena!
What does it mean word for word?
The word cattivo literally means 'bad' or 'evil', which is the root for the English sense of 'mean' in this context.
Which one should you use?
The form Sei cattivo is the masculine version used for a male, whereas the feminine version is Sei cattiva.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Naples, you might hear Tu si' 'na vipera! to mean 'You're a viper!' In Rome, the phrase Sei 'na carogna! is used to mean 'You're a wicked person!'
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes its ending to cattiva when addressing a female. If you are addressing a group of people, the phrase changes to Siete cattivi.
Did you know?
- The word cattivo has a dark historical root, evolving from the Latin word for 'captive' or 'prisoner'. It implies someone who was 'caught' by the devil, which is how it moved from meaning 'prisoner' to 'bad' or 'mean'.
- In Italian, calling someone cattivo can be a playful or flirtatious tease, similar to calling someone 'naughty' in English.
- While Sei cattivo describes a person's character, the same word cattivo is used to describe 'bad' food or 'spoiled' milk.
Examples in context
- Sono sicuro che l'hai fatto apposta, sei cattivo.I'm sure you did it on purpose. You're mean.This sentence is useful for expressing that you are sure someone acted meanly on purpose using Sei cattivo.Tatoeba #9725797 by carlosalberto, translation #9725739 by carlosalberto
- Scusi Signora, ma devo dire che Lei è cattiva con i suoi dipendenti.Excuse me, ma'am, but I have to say that you're mean to your employees.
- Non dire queste cose, sei cattivo.Don't say these things, you're mean.
- Perché mi dici questo? Sei cattivo!Why are you telling me this? You're mean!
Example conversation
Chiara and Matteo are arguing over a game.
- ChiaraHai vinto solo perché hai imbrogliato!You only won because you cheated!
- MatteoNon è vero, sono solo più bravo.That's not true, I'm just better.
- ChiaraSei cattivo, Matteo!You're mean, Matteo!
- MatteoVa bene, ricominciamo da capo.Alright, let's start over.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (sei, cattivo) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cattivo, sei, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
