scemo

//ˈʃeː.mo//insult

What does scemo mean? scemo is a Italian mild that translates to “dumb, silly, stupid” in English.

diminished / lacking (from Latin 'ex-aemus')

01

"dumb, silly, stupid"

A mild insult meaning stupid or silly — the Italian equivalent of calling someone 'dumb' without real malice. 'Sei scemo' can be said affectionately between friends or genuinely as an insult, depending entirely on tone. It's one of the first insults Italian children learn.

'Sei scemo!' — you're dumb! (can be playful). 'Lo scemo del villaggio' — the village idiot. 'Scemo, ti amo' — dummy, I love you.