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ROMAN DIALECT
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GLOSSARY
OF ROMAN TERMS


updated: February 2004
grammar
exclamations and interjections
idiomatic expressions


NOTE
This is a list of the main roman terms which are not simply corrupted from standard Italian, according to the phonetic rules discussed in the grammar pages, therefore the ones whose meaning may be more difficult to understand.

ABBREVIATIONS
adj.: adjective inter.: interjection
adv.: adverb int.v.: intransitive verb
arch.: archaic m.n.: masculine noun
conj.: conjunction playf.: playful
f.n.: feminine noun refl.: reflexive form
met.: metaphoric tr.v.: transitive verb
Abbadā - int.v.
Abbioccàsse - int.v.
Abbozzā - int.v.
Abbraccicà - int.v.
Abbuscā - int.v.
Acciaccā - v tr.
Aggricciā - v tr.
Allésso - adj.
Alō - inter.
Anniscónne - v. tr.
Ariccòje - v. tr.
Ariccontā - v. tr.
Ariocā (ariocācce) - v. intr.
Arisparambiā (arisparammiā) - tr.v.
Armànco - adv.
Arruzzonìto (aruzzonìto) - adj.
Attorcicàto (intorcicàto) - adj.
Aùffa - adv.
Baccajā - int.v.
Bammàce (bammàcia) - f.n.
Barbòzzo - m.n.
Battécca - f.n.
Beccamòrto - m.n.
Biastìma - f.n.
Biòcca - f.n.
Bòccio - m.n.
Bréccola - f.n.
Bùcio - m.n.
Buggiaróne - adj. (arch.)
Bùja - f.n.
Cacatóre - m.n.
Cagnàra (caggnàra) - f.n.
Canoffièna - f.n.
Cantasilèna - f.n.
Capā - tr.v.
Capòccia - f.n.
Carcio-farzo - m.n. (arch.)
Cassabbanco - m.n.
Cazzèo - m.n.
Cazzomàtto - m.n.
Ceràsa - f.n.
Cianca - f.n.
Cinichétto - m.n.
Ciorcinàto - adj.
Ciriola - f.n.
Ciriolā - int.v.
Ciuco - adj.
Còccia - f.n.
Còce - int.v.
Cojonā - tr.v.
Corcā · (refl.) corcāsse - tr.v.
Cùccuma or cùccumo - f.n. or m.n.
Cucuzza or cucuzzòlo - f.n. or m.n.
Cunculìna - f.n.
Cratùra - f.n.
Cristiano - m.n. & adj.
Crocchiā - tr.v.
Dindaròlo - m.n.
Discórre (discóre) - int.v.
Drénto - adv.
Fédigo - m.n. (arch.)
Fétta - f.n. (playf.)
Fòra - adv.
Fròcia - f.n.
Furèllo - m.n. (playf.)
Fràcico - adj.
Fratta - f.n.
Fujétta - f.n.
Gabbiàno - m.n.
Ganàssa - f.n.
Gargànte - m.n. (arch.)
Gargaròzzo - m.n.
Giudìo - m.n. & adj.
Gnènte - adv.
Groppóne - m.n.
Guadambiā (guadammiā) - tr.v.
Guāzza (dā la guazza) - f.n.
Imbriàco - adj.
Infinocchiā - tr.v.
Ingrufā - tr.v.
Intruppā - tr.v. & intr.
Inzécca - adv.
Inzinènta - adv. (arch.)
Mammàna - f.n.
Mandritta - f.n. (arch.)
Manimànca - f.n. (arch.)
Manosānta - f.n.
Menā - tr.v.
Mezza-tacca - f.n.
Miffa - f.n.
Mignòtta (miggnòtta) - f.n.
Mo' (móne) - adv.
Móccolo - m.n.
Monnézza - f.n.
Mozza or mozzóne - f.n. or m.n.
Mózzico - m.n.
Mozzorécchio - m.n. (arch.)
Nemmànco - adv.
Noàntri - pron.
Nòne - conj.
Pacènza - f.n.
Paìno - m.n.
Pèrsica (pèrzica) - f.n.
Pipinàro - m.n.
Pivétto - m.n.
Porāccio · porāccia - m.n./adj. & f.n./adj.
Pòro - adj.
Prèscia - f.n.
Portogàllo - m.n.
Puro - conj.
Ràcchia - f.n. & adj.
Ràdica - f.n.
Ràncico - adj.
Rasóre - m.n.
Ricòcola - f.n.
Rìsico - m.n.
Rugā - int.v.
Ruzza - f.n.
Saccòccia - f.n.
Schina - f.n.
Sconocchiā - tr.v.
Scùcchia - f.n.
Scucchióne / a - m.n./f.n.
Sércio - m.n.
Sganassóne - m.n.
Sgricilā - tr.v.
Sgrullóne (sgrulóne) - m.n.
Sguìzzero - m.n. (playf.)
Sìne - conj.
Sor · Sóra - m.n. & f.
Sortė - int.v.
Stennarèllo - m.n.
Stòmmico - m.n.
Stróppio - m.n. & adj.
Strucchióne - adj.
Svojatùra - f.n.
Tata - m.n.
Tibbi - m.n.
Tortóre - m.n.
Tòsto - adj.
Trincā - tr.v. (playf.)
Tritticā - int.v.
Urióne - m.n. (arch.)
Vassàllo - adj.
Zagajà - int.v.
Zampàna - f.n.
Zélla - f.n.
Zi' pèppe - m.n. (playf.)
Zinàle - m.n.
Zinne - f.n.
Zitèlla - f.n. (arch.)
Zómpo - m.n.
Zozzerìa - f.n.
Zózzo - adj.
Zozzóne · zozzóna - m.n./adj. & f.n./adj.
To pay attention, to beware
To become sleepy, drowsy
To endure passively, without replying or reacting
To hug
To get, to obtain
To flatten, to squash
To wrinkle
Boiled
Come on, let's go, hurry up, etc.
To hide
To pick, to pick up
To tell (stories, lies, etc.)
To do or try something again, make a further attempt
To save (money, etc.)
At least
Rusty
Wrapped or wound (around something)
Free (for no money)
To quarrel, to argue
Cotton wool
Chin
Rod
Grave-digger, also used with a generic meaning of unpleasant, loathsome person
Swear
Brooding hen
Old (person, object)
Small stone (like gravel, etc.)
Hole
Big - Fool - Evil (always in negative sense)
Bustle, fuss
Toilet
Loud and disturbing noise, fuss
Swing, either the game, i.e. a seat hanging from a tree, or (met.) something repetitive, boring
Singsong - (met.) Boring, repetitive speech
To choose
Head
Unfair trick, fraud
Chest, settle
Stupid person
Fool, crazy person
Cherry
Leg
Small bit, small piece (of meat, of food)
Wretched
Eel
Wiggle, wriggle (like an eel)
Small, young
Peel, rind, skin, shell (of fruit, nuts, etc.)
To cook - (met.) To ache, to give pain
To play a joke on someone
To give a hard beating - (met.) To swindle - (reflexive) To go to/lay in bed)
Small generic vessel for milk, coffee, etc., a cup, a pot
Head
Small tub or basin
Small child
Man, human being (of cristian belief only)
To beat harshly somebody
Piggy-bank
To speak, to talk
Inside
Liver
Foot
Out, outside
Nostril
Bottom, fanny
Wet through, soaked - Rotten
Bush
Measure used for wine, equals to half litre
Fool, stupid
Jaw - Cheek
Evil person
Throat
Jew
Nothing
Back, shoulders
To earn
Teasing (to kid, to tease somebody)
Drunk
To swindle, to make somebody believe what is not true
To copulate with, have sex with (said by a man)
To bump into something
Random
Even (emphasizing a topic)
Midwife, female ostetrician
Right-hand side, the right
Left-hand side, the left
Very effective remedy or cure
To beat (person, object)
Poor quality, cheapy
Lie
Prostitute
Now
Candle-end, small candle - (met.) Swear
Litter, trash
Cigarette or cigar stub
Bite
Lawyer (in a pejorative sense)
Not even
We
No (used alone, in emphatic sense)
Patience
Dandy
Peach
Crowd, multitude of people
Young child
Unlucky or wretched person
Poor, pitiful
Hurry
Orange (fruit)
Also
once: Fair (girl) - now: Ugly (girl)
Root
Rancid
Shaver
Apricot
Risk
To argue, to debate
Rust
Pocket
Back (anatomical part)
To shatter, to wreck
Chin (especially if long and protruding)
Person with a long and protruding chin
Stone
Violent slap
To injure someone's bowels (by stabbing)
Sudden and violent rain, shower
Swiss soldier of the Vatican
Yes (used alone, in emphatic sense)
Mr. / Mrs.
To come out
Rolling-pin
Stomach
Cripple
In bad shape, shabby-looking
Whim
Daddy
Calamity, serious accident or mishap
Heavy stick, cudgel
Tough
To drink (wine), usually merrily/immoderately
To tremble, to shiver
City quarter
Naughty
To stammer, to stutter
Mosquito
Dirt
Chamber-pot
Apron
Tits, breast
Girl (until she gets married)
Jump, leap
Dirt - Dirty or sleazy thing
Dirty, filthy, sleazy
Dirty person, sleazy person

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