scopare
What does scopare mean? scopare is a Italian strong that translates to “to fuck, to screw” in English.
Literal Translation
to sweep (with a broom) / to fuck
Meaning & Usage
"to fuck, to screw"
The most common Italian verb for sexual intercourse — and also the completely innocent word for 'to sweep the floor.' Context is everything: 'devo scopare il pavimento' (I need to sweep the floor) and 'hanno scopato' (they fucked) use exactly the same word. This dual meaning is a source of endless Italian humor.
Examples in the Wild
'Hanno scopato?' — did they have sex? 'Chi scopa stasera?' — who's getting laid tonight? Also: 'Devo scopare casa' — I need to sweep the house (genuinely innocent).
Regional Variations
Standard sexual meaning
'Chiavare' or 'trombare' more common regionally
When to Use It
Context
- Informal settings where profanity is accepted
- Expressing strong frustration or emphasis
Avoid
- Professional or formal settings
- Around elders or authority figures
- Mixed company or unfamiliar social groups
- Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations
Cultural Context
The broom/sex double meaning is so well-known that Italian comedies have milked it for decades. New Italian learners inevitably create accidentally hilarious sentences. The word is crude but not as aggressive as some alternatives — it's the standard colloquial verb for sex, not the violent one. 'Scopata' (a fuck) is the noun form.
More in Italian 🇮🇹
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“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.