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amaro

bitter

adjective ah-MAH-roh Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Quality

Origin: Latin amarus (bitter)

Also means

harsh, painful

Usage Note

Amaro describes a bitter taste but also a bitter feeling or harsh truth — una amara sorpresa (a bitter surprise), parole amare (harsh words). As a noun, un amaro is a bitter Italian digestif liqueur (Campari, Fernet are examples). Do not confuse with amareggiato (embittered, upset) which conveys a person's emotional state more strongly.

Examples

"Questo caffè è troppo amaro per me."

Natural Translation

This coffee is too bitter for me.

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