il colloquio

Definition & meaning

Colloquio means a conversation or discussion, especially a formal one between two or more people. Common meanings include:

• Interview, particularly for a job.
• Meeting or consultation, for example with a teacher or doctor.
• Conversation, sometimes a private or serious exchange of views.

Grammar & Word origin

A masculine noun: il colloquio, plural i colloqui. It comes from Latin colloquium, meaning “conversation,” formed from col- (“together”) and loqui (“to speak”).

Synonyms & antonyms

• conversazione ↗ — a general conversation, usually less formal than colloquio.
• intervista ↗ — an interview, often conducted by a journalist; it is less commonly used for a job interview.
• incontro ↗ — a meeting, which may or may not involve a formal discussion.

There is no direct antonym in common use.

Common phrases & collocations

• colloquio di lavoro ↗ — job interview.
• sostenere un colloquio ↗ — to attend or sit an interview.
• colloquio con gli insegnanti ↗ — a meeting with teachers.