noun

la bugia

lie

Frase o affermazione non vera detta per nascondere la verità o ingannare qualcuno.

Definition & meaning

The word bugia primarily refers to a lie or a falsehood. It is a statement made by someone who knows it is not true, usually with the intention to deceive or mislead others. In Italian culture, it can range from a "white lie" (bugia bianca) told to avoid hurting someone, to a serious deception.

Additionally, bugia has a second, more specific meaning: it refers to a small, portable candlestick with a flat base and a ring-shaped handle. This type of candlestick was historically used to carry a single candle around the house.

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar: The word is a feminine noun. Its plural form is bugie. Note that when forming the plural, the "i" is maintained because the "g" is preceded by a vowel in the singular form (u-g-i-a).

Word origin:

For the meaning "lie": The origin is somewhat debated, but it likely comes from the Provençal word bauza or the Old French boge, which originally referred to a trick or a deceitful act.
For the meaning "candlestick": The name is derived from the city of Bugia (Bejaïa in modern-day Algeria). During the Middle Ages, this city was a major exporter of high-quality beeswax used to make candles, eventually leading the object itself to be named after its source.