il cafone
rude
Definition & meaning
Cafone is a noun or adjective meaning rude, boorish, or ill-mannered. As a noun, it refers to a person who behaves that way.
Historically, especially in southern Italy, it also meant a peasant or farm laborer. This older sense can be derogatory, though it sometimes appears neutrally in historical or literary contexts.
Grammar & Word origin
As a noun, cafone can refer to a man or a woman. Its plural is cafoni . The feminine form cafona , plural cafone , is also used.
As an adjective, it generally agrees in gender and number: cafone, cafona, cafoni, cafone.
The word is of uncertain origin and is associated historically with southern Italian dialects.
Synonyms & antonyms
- maleducato — rude or badly brought up; a broader, less colorful term.
- rozzo — coarse or unrefined, emphasizing a lack of refinement.
- contadino — farmer or peasant; a neutral term corresponding to the historical sense.
Antonyms of the modern sense include:
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
Quel ragazzo è cafone.adjective
That boy is rude.
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