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February 27th, 2026 – Eleonora Corradi
However, the international success of an Italian word does not always go hand in hand with respect for its original meaning. In some cases, Italian terms are reinterpreted or simplified, resulting in a use that is only apparently faithful to the source language. A very common example is latte: outside Italy it no longer refers simply to milk, but to a coffee-based drink. Ordering a latte in an English-speaking country therefore means receiving something quite different from what one would expect in Italy.
The same applies to confetti, which in Italian are sugar-coated almonds traditionally given at celebrations, while in English the word refers to small pieces of paper thrown during festivities. The word pepperoni is another case: although of Italian origin, in the United States it refers to a spicy salami, whereas in Italian peperoni are vegetables. In these cases, the word remains, but the cultural reference changes completely. Other terms have taken on a figurative meaning: fiasco, which originally refers to a glass bottle, has become synonymous in English with a complete failure, while stiletto, which in Italian is a dagger, is now used almost exclusively to refer to a shoe with a very thin heel. These examples show how words, once they enter another language, can transform and take on new meanings.
Why Italian Travels So Well.
The success of Italian words around the world depends on several factors: migration, cultural influence, the lack of precise equivalents, and the musical quality of the language itself. Italian is perceived as expressive and pleasant, and some words simply work better when left untranslated. Every time someone orders a pizza, says “ciao,” or applauds with a “bravo,” a small fragment of Italian language and culture continues to live on around the world.
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DIFFICULT WORDS
Here are some examples of Italian words used in English with a meaning different from the original one.
MAESTRO
In Italian, it refers to a person of great skill or authority, especially in art, music, or teaching.
In English, it is mainly used to refer to an orchestra conductor or a figure of excellence, with a strongly celebratory tone.
PRIMA DONNA (written as two words in Italian)
In Italian, it is the leading female singer in an opera and, figuratively, a vain or self-centered person.
In English (primadonna), it almost always has a negative meaning and refers to someone who is difficult or temperamental.
TEMPO
In Italian, it is a very broad word referring to the passage of time or a duration.
In English, it mainly refers to the rhythm or overall pace of an activity or situation.
DIVA
In Italian, it refers to a famous and admired person, especially in the world of entertainment.
In English, it is often used in an ironic or negative sense to describe someone who is demanding or arrogant.
BIMBO
In Italian, it simply means a child and is a neutral or affectionate word.
In English, it has a derogatory meaning and refers to someone considered superficial or unintelligent.
AL FRESCO
In Italian, in its common and literal meaning, it refers to being outdoors, in a cool or shaded place, especially in summer.
In English, used as a stylistic expression, it simply means outdoors or open-air, often with an elegant connotation.
