5 Advanced Italian Words (C2-Level)
Let’s review five advanced Italian words. I classify these as C2-level (the highest level) words because a percentage of native Italians would not be familiar with some or all of them either.
5. Desueto (deh-SWEH-toh /deˈzwɛ.to/)
Desueto means obsolete, no longer in use, or outdated. For example:
Questo termine è ormai desueto.
(This term is now obsolete.)
4. Lapalissiano (lah-pah-lee-SEE-ah-no /la.pa.lisˈsjano/)
Lapalissiano means self-evident, obvious, or something so clear that it doesn’t need explanation. For example:
È lapalissiano che il progetto non funzionerà senza fondi.
(It is self-evident that the project won't work without funding.)
3. Remore (REH-mo-reh /ˈrɛ.mo.re/)
Remore means scruples, hesitations, or moral reservations. For example:
Non ho alcuna remora nel prendere questa decisione.
(I have no hesitation in making this decision.)
2. Connivenza
Connivenza means connivance, complicity, or the act of tolerating something wrong without opposing it. For example:
Marco ha marinato la scuola e il padre gli ha firmato la giustificazione. L’insegnante è rimasta dispiaciuta nel constatare una tale connivenza da parte del genitore.
(Marco skipped school, and his father signed the excuse note for him. The teacher was disappointed to witness such connivance on the part of the parent.)
1. Panegirico (pah-neh-JEE-ree-koh /pa.neˈdʒi.ri.ko/)
Panegirico means eulogy or a speech or text in praise of someone or something, often in pompous or eloquent terms. For example:
Alla festa di compleanno del suo manager, Michele gli ha fatto un vero e proprio panegirico.
(At his boss’s birthday party, Michele gave a big speech in praise of him.)
Were you familiar with any of these words? If not, don’t feel bad. While these are not obscure words for educated native speakers, they are certainly not part of everyday colloquial language either.