nounnounadjective
il pentito
repentant
Persona che prova dispiacere per ciò che ha fatto e vorrebbe rimediare.
Definition & meaning
The word pentito has two primary meanings depending on the context:
- Repentant/Contrite: Describes a person who feels sincere regret or remorse for a wrong they have committed or a sin they have engaged in.
- Collaborator of justice (Mafia context): In Italian legal and criminal terminology, a pentito is a member of a criminal organization (such as the Mafia or Camorra) who decides to break the code of silence (omertà) and cooperate with the authorities, providing information to help prosecute other members.
Grammar & Word origin
- Grammar: It is the past participle of the reflexive verb pentirsi (to repent). It functions as both a noun (the repentant person) and an adjective (someone who is repentant).
- Origin: It derives from the Latin paenitere, meaning "to cause dissatisfaction" or "to repent."
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- Dispiaciuto (sorry/regretful)
- Rammaricato (saddened/regretful)
- Collaboratore di giustizia (specifically for the criminal context)
Antonyms:
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Examples
Si è mostrato pentito dopo aver parlato troppo in fretta.adjective
He showed himself repentant after speaking too quickly.
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