How to Text in Italian: Ultimate Internet Slang Guide
This blog post will guide you through the labyrinth of Italian SMS messages, slang, and chat shortcuts that will help you blend in and feel authentically Italian.
Get ready to unravel what your Italian contacts say on text messages, WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, chatrooms, and message boards while using their mobile phones.
Thanks to the ubiquitous use of cell phones to communicate, traditional grammar rules evolve, fresh vocabulary blooms, and a unique system of signs breathes life into the conversation. This intriguing blend results in a distinctive idiom, essential to connecting with Italian friends who are always just a text away.
Texting acronyms, abbreviations, and slang might not get much love from formal language teachers or conventional dictionaries. Still, they are the lifeblood of modern communication – and the Italian language is no exception.
Italian Text Messaging: The Code of Conduct
When it comes to Italian text messaging, there are a few “unwritten rules” that form the blueprint of this digital communication form.
Regarding how young people communicate on their mobile devices, the key is efficiency – vowels are often dropped, while numbers and symbols emerge as potent tools in the text slang arsenal.
A handful of these characters and numbers play starring roles in Italian texting, and understanding them is paramount.
The Italian Internet Slang Manifesto
In this section, we will walk through the core rules of Italian internet slang, sprinkling in examples of how to text in Italian along the way to aid your understanding. Each rule carries its own significance, so pay close attention and prepare to enhance your texting game!
Rule #1. The Power of X
In Italian text language, ‘x’ stands in for ‘per’, meaning ‘for’, ‘to’, or ‘in order to’. This is due to the influence of mathematics, where ‘x’ symbolizes multiplication, referred to as ‘per’ in Italian. For instance, 3 x 5 = 15 would be read in Italian as ‘tre per cinque fa quindici’. You can replace ‘per’ with ‘x’ in shorter phrases and even within longer words.
| Messaging Shortcuts | Italian Meaning | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| x | per | for, to, in order to |
| xkè, xk, x’ | perché | because, why |
| xciò | perciò | so, for this reason |
| xò | però | but, however |
| xsona | persona | person |
| sxo | spero | I hope |
| sxiamo | speriamo | we hope |
| xfetto | perfetto | perfect |
| xmesso | permesso | permission |
Suggested Read: Essential Italian Slang Words & Expressions
Rule #2. The Intriguing Letter K
Despite ‘k’ not featuring in the Italian alphabet, it’s a frequent flyer in Italian text language, often replacing the hard ‘c’ sound. Here’s a brief guide to some popular ‘k’ abbreviations.
| Messaging Shortcuts | Italian Meaning | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| anke | anche | also, too, as well |
| kiakkiera | chiacchiera | small talk, chat |
| ksì | così | so, therefore |
| qlcn | qualcuno | someone, somebody, anyone, anybody |
| ki | chi | who |
| kn | con | with |
| ke | che | what, which, that |
| qlk | qualche | some, a few |
| xkè, xk | perché | because, why |
| ks | cosa | what, thing |
Rule #3. The Magic of Number 6
The number 6 is the text version of ‘sei’, which translates to ‘you are’. So, don’t be caught off guard if you see an Italian friend’s message popping up on your screen saying, ‘c6?’ You might encounter this on any social media platform where you’re chatting with Italians. The number 6 used for ‘sei’ is one of the most common Italian slang words.
| Messaging Shortcuts | Italian Meaning | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| c6? | ci sei? | are you there? |
| dve 6? | dove sei? | where are you? |
Suggested Read: 22 Best Italian Hand Gestures: the ultimate art form.
Rule #4. The Versatile Letters C and Q
Interestingly, the letter C in Italian is pronounced ‘ci’, giving it a unique role in text language. On the other hand, the U following a Q is typically eliminated in chat spelling. Here are a few examples of how ‘c’ and ‘q’ are used.
| Messaging Shortcuts | Italian Meaning | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| c | ci | there |
| qndi | quindi | therefore |
| qls | qualcosa | something |
| qlk1 | qualcuno | someone |
| qst | questo | this |
| qnt | quanto | how much |
| qlk | qualche | some, a few |
| qnd | quando | when |
How to Text in Italian: Conveying Your Feelings
When you want to show someone you care, Italian texting offers many abbreviations to express your affection. You’ll notice the tendency to drop vowels in these phrases. Here are a few examples of how to text in Italian.
| Messaging Shortcuts | Italian Meaning | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| tvb | ti voglio bene | I care about you |
| tvtb | ti voglio tanto bene | I care about you a lot |
| tvt | ti voglio tanto | I want you so much |
| ta | ti amo | I love you |
| tat | ti amo tanto | I love you so much |
| mmt | mi manchi tanto | I miss you so much |
Suggested Read: How to Say I Love You in Italian: express your amore!
Master Italian Texting
Here’s a list of frequently used Italian texting abbreviations to help you communicate like a pro.
| Messaging Shortcuts | Italian Meaning | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| c6 | ci sei? | are you there? |
| risp | rispondi | answer |
| grz | grazie | thanks |
| tn | tanto | a lot, much |
| m | mi | me |
| scs | scusa | sorry |
| k | chi | who, what |
| tvb | ti voglio bene | I care about you |
| sl | solo | only, just |
| vlv | volevo | I would like |
| xke | perché | why, because |
| gg | giorno | day |
| qls | qualcosa | something |
| smpr | sempre | always |
| frs | forse | maybe |
| dp | dopo | after |
| dr | dire | to say |
| midi | mi dispiace | I’m sorry |
| dm | domani | tomorrow |
| pfv | per favore | please |
| t | ti | you |
| t tel +trd | ti telefono più tardi | I’ll call you later |
| prox | alla prossima | next time |
| t km dp | ti chiamo dopo | I’ll call you later |
| sx | sinistra | left |
| dx | destra | right |
| d | da | from, since, of |
| cmq | comunque | anyway |
| trp | troppo | too much |
| ta | ti amo | I love you |
| nm | numero | number |
| bc | baci | kisses |
| dv 6 | dove sei | where are you |
| nr | numero | number |
| c sent | ci sentiamo | we’ll talk later |
| -male | meno male | not so bad, it’s a good thing |
| sn | sono | I am |
Suggested Read: Can you ace this Italian Slang Quiz? Prove you’re street talk savvy!
How Do I Say LMAO in Italian?
Here’s a twist for you. How do you say LMAO in Italian? Just keep it as LMAO! Yes, you read it right. This universal nugget of internet jargon has successfully made its journey across the Atlantic.
In the midst of your international texting chat, tossing in a ‘LMAO’ keeps things lively without interrupting the linguistic rhythm.
But to sprinkle in some funny Italian jokes, trade ‘LMAO’ for ‘morir dal ridere,’ and you’ll be authentically ‘dying of laughter’ in Italian style!
Closing Thoughts
Navigating through the realm of international texts in Italian, you’ve acquired essential rules, chat abbreviations, and slang.
This extensive guide should equip you to confidently and efficiently utilize any messaging app on your mobile device to engage in instant messaging in Italian, irrespective of the context or direction of the conversation.
Whether it’s to express heartfelt sentiments or relay a brief status update, these Italian texting insights will ensure your messages maintain an authentic Italian flair.
Remember, practice is key to mastering any new language skill, so don’t be afraid to jump right into the Italian texting scene. With the wealth of abbreviations and expressions at your disposal, you’ll be chatting like a local in no time. Arrivederci, and happy Italian text messaging!
Further Reading: Top 15 Italian Superstitions: Italy’s Beliefs Revealed.
