Text and instant messaging slang words, phrases, abbreviations and acronyms get little if any respect from teachers and dictionaries, but are a key part of communication in any language, including Italian.
This post will cover the most common Italian text slang and chat abbreviations that any learner should be aware of in order to fit in with the natives and sound authentic in Italian. Let’s have a look, then, at what you might see when chatting on WhatsApp, Facebook or Telegram as well as in forums, chatrooms, message boards, dating apps, etc.
Texting and chatting in Italian
At the dawn of text messaging, using the number “6” to mean “sei” as in “you are” was the height of slang sophistication. The number is spelled the same as the verb, just like how “2” corresponds to “too” in English.
Today, a whole cryptic looking system of signs and abbreviations has evolved, and it is especially popular with under-21s. Here is a selection of the most common texting abbreviations and phrases currently in circulation.
Let’s start with the easy stuff. Here is a list of text expressions and emoticons that are common to both Italian and English:
| ahahah / hahaha | = risate | laughing |
| 🙂 | = sorriso | smile, smiley-face |
| 😀 | = sorriso | smile |
| 🙁 | = triste | sad |
| :(( | = molto triste | very sad |
| XD | = risate | laughing |
| 😉 | = occhiolino | winking. It’s used for flirting and as a signal of common understanding. |
| 😛 | = linguaccia | sticking tongue out |
| <3 | = cuore | heart |
| xoxoxoxo | = tanti baci | many kisses |
| :* | = bacio | kiss |
| :*** | = baci | kisses |
A potentially confusing abbreviation for English speakers is “x” for “per”. The multiplication sign “x” is actually called “per” in Italian. So, use “x” any time you would use the preposition “per”, as well as in longer words that include the syllable “-per”. Here are some very common examples:
| x | = per | for, to, in order to, because of, towards, through |
| xkè, xk, x’ | = perché | why, because |
| xciò | = perciò | therefore, so, for this reason |
| xò | = però | but, however, though |
| xsona | = persona | person |
| sxo | = spero | I hope |
| xfetto | = perfetto | perfect |
| xmesso | = permesso | permission, allowed, permitted |
“K” is another letter that is used a lot in Italian text slang. The letter “k” has the same hard c sound of “ch” and “c” when followed by “a”, “o” and “u”. For this reason, the letter “k” is frequently used in textspeak as a shorthand for “ch” and “c”. See some examples below:
| anke | = anche | also, too, as well |
| xkè, xk | = perché | why, because |
| ke | = che | what, which, that |
| ki | = chi | who |
| qlk | = qualche | some, a few |
| qlcn | = qualcuno | someone, somebody, anyone, anybody |
| kiakkiera | = chiacchiera | chit-chat, small talk |
| kn | = con | with |
| ks | = cosa | what, thing |
| ksì | = così | so, therefore |
As you might have noticed, vowels tend to get eliminated in internet chat spellings, to shorten words. Have a look at these examples to get an idea of how it works:
| cmq | = comunque | anyway, however, in any case |
| msg | = messaggio | message |
| grz | = grazie | thanks |
| prg | = prego | you’re welcome |
| tnt | = tanto | a lot, very much |
| trp | = troppo | too much |
| allr | = allora | then, so |
| qnd | = quando | when |
| qndi | = quindi | therefore, so, then |
| qnt | = quanto | how much |
| qst | = questo | this |
| qls, qlcs | = qualcosa | something |
| cn | = con | with |
| d | = di | of, about, from, by, than |
| c | = ci | there |
| t | = ti | you |
| v | = vi | you |
| nn | = non | no |
| nnt | = niente | nothing, anything |
| tt | = tutto, tutti | all, everybody, everyone |
| brv | = bravo, brava, bravi, brave | good |
| brvximo, brvxima, brvximi, brvxime | = bravissimo, bravissima, bravissimi, bravissime | very good, excellent |
| risp | = rispondi | reply, answer |
| stas | = stasera | this evening |
| prox | = prossima | next |
| gg | = oggi, giorno | today, day |
| dm | = domani | tomorrow |
| dp | = dopo | after |
| dr | = dire | to say |
| dx | = destra | right |
| sx | = sinistra | left |
| frs | = forse | maybe |
| num, nm | = numero | number |
| and | = andare, andato | to go, gone |
| scs | = scusa | sorry, excuse me |
| sl | = solo | only, just |
| smpr | = sempre | always |
| sn | = sono | I am, they are |
| trnqi, trnqui | = tranquillo | calm, relaxed |
| vlv | = volevo | I wanted |
| bst | = basta | stop |
Numbers and symbols are widely used in Italian text slang, both on their own and to replace syllables in words. Here are some examples:
| 6 | = sei | you are |
1| = un, uno, una | a, one |
|
qlk1 | = qualcuno | someone, somebody, anyone, anybody |
|
ness1 | = nessuno | no one, nobody |
|
+| = più | more |
|
- | = meno | less |
|
x| = per | for, to, in order to, because of, towards, through |
|
3no| = treno | train |
|
4ini| = quattrini | money |
|
sal8| = salotto | living room |
|
Finally, here is a list of very common text slang phrases, acronyms and slogans, decoded:
| c6, c6? | = ci sei? | U there? |
| dv6? | = dove sei? | Where are you? |
| pfv | = per favore | Please |
| ncs | = non ci siamo | No way! |
| vbn | = va bene | That’s fine! |
| qv | = qualche volta | Sometimes, every now and then |
| c sent | = ci sentiamo | I’ll talk to you later |
| c ved | = ci vediamo | See you |
| cvd | = ci vediamo dopo | See you later |
| d nnt | = di niente | You’re welcome, my pleasure, no problem |
| ke bll | = che bello! | Cool!, how beautiful! |
| t fcc sap | = ti faccio sapere | I’ll let you know |
| + trd | = più tardi | Later |
| t tel + trd | = ti telefono più tardi | I’ll call you later |
| +o– | = più o meno | More or less |
| ap | = a presto | See you soon, talk to you soon |
| t prg | = ti prego | Please |
| -male | = meno male | Thank God!, thank goodness! |
| kissene, chissene | = Chi se ne frega | Whatever, who cares? |
| mmt | = mi manchi tanto | I miss you so much |
| tvb | = ti voglio bene | I like you, I feel a lot of affection for you |
| tvtb, tvtttttb | = ti voglio tanto bene | I like you a lot, I feel a lot of affection for you |
| tv1mdb | = ti voglio un mondo di bene | I like you so much, I feel a lot of affection for you |
| tv1kdb | = ti voglio un casino di bene | I like you so much, I feel a lot of affection for you |
| t.a. | = ti amo | I love you |
| t.a.t. | = ti amo tanto | I love you a lot |
Got a favorite one you don’t see here? Let us know in the comments.
So, you’ve got your list of Italian text slang phrases and abbreviations. The next step is to put your newfound text slang knowledge into action with your text-addicted Italian friends.
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