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ITALIAN WORD OF THE DAY

Italian word of the day: ‘Caspita’

Gosh, this is a fun word to say.

Italian word of the day: 'Caspita'
Photo: Annie Spratt/Unsplash/Nicolas Raymond

Today’s word was suggested by one of our readers, who tells us: “Every time I hear the word caspita I smile.”

We’re inclined to agree. Caspita! Caspita! CASPITA! Try it – here’s how it’s pronounced.

Fun to say (or shout), but what does it mean? Put very simply: ‘gosh’. 

Like that word, caspita is a polite euphemism for a stronger term. Along with cavolo, it stands in for cazzo – ‘dick’ or ‘shit’.

And just like when you say ‘gosh’, ‘golly’ or ‘gee’ instead of ‘God’ or ‘Jesus’, by today’s standards it sounds very mild, even twee.

But we think it’s rather charming. And undeniably versatile: according to the dictionary, caspita can express “wonder, sometimes impatience and mild resentment”.

So whether you’re delighted, disappointed or just surprised, caspita is an exclamation you can use without fear of giving anyone offence.

Caspita, che bel panorama!
Gosh, what a beautiful view!

Caspita, stai attento a quel che fai!
For goodness’ sake, pay attention to what you’re doing!


Enjoy the dulcet tones of Toto Cutugno (better known for L’Italiano) singing his minor hit Caspita, about a summer romance. 

There are few variations: if you’re feeling adventurous you can go for caspiterina, which means just the same but takes a little longer to say; or you can add e che… beforehand for an exasperated touch. 

Che caspita di… means ‘what a…’, while col caspita is something like ‘my foot!’ or ‘like hell!’ – a defiant way of contradicting what’s just been said.

Che caspita di prezzi!
What a price! (or: how expensive)

Ci vengo? Col cazzo.
Am I coming? Like hell I am.

Do you have a favourite Italian word, phrase or expression you’d like us to feature? If so, please email us with your suggestion.

Make sure you don’t miss any of our Italian words and expressions of the day: download our new app (available on Apple and Android) and then selecting the Italian Word of the Day in your Notification options via the User button.

For members

ITALIAN WORD OF THE DAY

Italian word of the day: ‘Rimorchiare’

Here's an Italian word you'll want to pick up.

Italian word of the day: 'Rimorchiare'

If you’ve ever studied for your foglio rosa (provisional driver’s licence) exam in Italy, you’re sure to have come across the word rimorchio (trailer).

Theory test T/F question: ‘The width of the trailer must never exceed that of the vehicle pulling it.’

Credo che dovremo noleggiare un rimorchio per trasportare tutta la merce.
I think we might need to rent a trailer to transport all the goods.

And rimorchiare, along with the more formal trainare, means to haul or tow.

La barca è stata rimorchiata a riva.
The boat was towed to shore.

But rimorchiare isn’t just used to talk about vehicles. It also means to pick or chat someone up, or hook up with them.

Sono usciti per rimorchiare.
They’ve gone out on the pull.

Se n’è appena andata con un tipo che ha rimorchiato.
She just left with some guy she picked up.

A rimorchiatore is a tugboat, but can also mean a player/persistent flirt, and rimorchione/a also describes someone who’s constantly chatting people up.

got talent nina GIF by Italia's Got Talent

In some parts of the country, meanwhile, you might hear someone described as a provolone – a big tryhard or wannabe player.

That’s a wordplay based on the reflexive verb provarci, meaning ‘to try it on with’, and the famous Italian cheese. 

È un gran provolone ma non riesce mai a rimorchiare.
He’s a real tryhard but he never manages to pull.

Do you have a favourite Italian word or expression you’d like us to feature? If so, please email us with your suggestion.

Don’t miss any of our Italian words and expressions of the day: download our app (available on Apple and Android) and then select the Italian Word of the Day in your Notification options via the User button.

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