fregare
What does fregare mean? fregare is a Italian moderate that translates to “to rip off, to steal, to screw over” in English.
Literal Translation
to rub / to steal / to screw over
Meaning & Usage
"to rip off, to steal, to screw over"
Literally 'to rub,' but in slang it means to steal or to cheat someone. 'Mi ha fregato' — he ripped me off. 'Chi se ne frega' — who gives a damn (literally: who rubs themselves about it). The reflexive 'fregarsene' is one of Italian's most essential expressions of indifference.
Examples in the Wild
'Chi se ne frega!' — who cares! 'Mi ha fregato 50 euro' — he ripped me off 50 euros. 'Me ne frego' — I don't care (historically loaded — was a Fascist slogan).
When to Use It
Context
- Casual conversations with friends
- Informal settings where profanity is accepted
- Direct confrontation (use with caution)
Avoid
- Professional or formal settings
- Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations
Cultural Context
The progression from 'fregare' (mild) to 'fottere' (vulgar) for 'to screw over' mirrors the cavolo/cazzo system. 'Chi se ne frega' is acceptable in most company; 'chi se ne fotte' is not. Both express the same magnificent Italian indifference, just at different volume levels.
More in Italian 🇮🇹
View all →cagna
“bitch”
Direct equivalent to English 'bitch.'
che palle
“what a drag, how boring, ugh”
An expression of boredom, annoyance, or exasperation — literally 'what balls,' implying that something is so tedious it weighs on you like heavy testicles. 'Che palle' is one of Italian's most frequently uttered phrases, covering everything from a boring meeting to a rainy weekend.
vaffanculo
“fuck off / fuck you”
Contraction of 'va' a fare in culo' (go do it in the ass). The ultimate Italian insult. Often accompanied by the 'fig' hand gesture.
porca miseria
“damn it / holy crap”
Stronger expression of frustration combining 'porca' (pig) with 'misery.' Classic Italian exclamation for everyday annoyances.
mona
“cunt”
Venetian/Friulian dialect for female genitalia.
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.
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.