bastardo
What does bastardo mean? bastardo is a Italian strong that translates to “bastard” in English.
Literal Translation
bastard
Meaning & Usage
"bastard"
Implies illegitimacy or cruel behavior. Less severe than English equivalent in modern usage.
Examples in the Wild
Quel bastardo mi ha tradito! (That bastard betrayed me!)
When to Use It
Context
- Informal settings where profanity is accepted
- Expressing strong frustration or emphasis
- Direct confrontation (use with caution)
Avoid
- Professional or formal settings
- Around elders or authority figures
- Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations
Cultural Context
Used in Titanic by Fabrizio. Can be almost affectionate among friends ('you bastard' in joking tone), but serious when shouted.
More in Italian 🇮🇹
View all →cagna
“bitch”
Direct equivalent to English 'bitch.'
daje
“come on, let's go, yeah”
Roman dialect for 'dai' (come on/give it). It's a multipurpose exclamation: encouragement ('daje, puoi farcela!' — come on, you can do it!), celebration ('daje!' — yes!), frustration ('ma daje!' — oh come on!). It's the sound of Roman enthusiasm concentrated into one syllable.
porca miseria
“damn it / holy crap”
Stronger expression of frustration combining 'porca' (pig) with 'misery.' Classic Italian exclamation for everyday annoyances.
pezzo di merda
“piece of shit”
Ultimate expression of contempt for a person.
fesso
“fool, sucker, chump”
A fool, a sucker — someone who's been 'cracked' or broken mentally. In Neapolitan culture, 'fesso' is the opposite of 'furbo' (clever/cunning). The furbo-fesso dichotomy is central to southern Italian social philosophy: the world is divided into those who outsmart and those who get outsmarted.
fanculo
“fuck off, fuck it”
A contraction of '(va) in culo' — go (into the) ass. It's 'vaffanculo' with the 'va' dropped, creating a standalone exclamation of frustration. 'Ma fanculo!' is the Italian equivalent of 'oh fuck it!' — resignation disguised as aggression. It can be directed at people or at situations.
caspita
“goodness / wow”
Old-fashioned expression of surprise or amazement. Completely inoffensive.
palle
“balls / what a pain”
Used in 'che palle!' (what a pain/balls) to express boredom or annoyance. Less vulgar than cazzo.