stronzo
What does stronzo mean? stronzo is a Italian severe that translates to “asshole / jerk / bastard” in English.
Literal Translation
turd / piece of shit
Meaning & Usage
"asshole / jerk / bastard"
Direct insult implying someone is contemptible or cruel. Gendered: stronzo (male), stronza (female).
Examples in the Wild
Sei uno stronzo! (You're an asshole!) / Quel tipo è uno stronzo (That guy is a jerk)
When to Use It
Context
- Expressing strong frustration or emphasis
- Only among very close friends who share this register
- Direct confrontation (use with caution)
Avoid
- Professional or formal settings
- Around elders or authority figures
- Public spaces — will cause genuine offense
- Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations
Cultural Context
Featured in 'The Godfather' (Sonny calls Paulie Gatto 'stronz'). Very strong when directed at someone, but can be ironic among friends.
More in Italian 🇮🇹
View all →cagna
“bitch”
Direct equivalent to English 'bitch.'
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.
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.