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cretino

stupid

adjective kreh-TEE-noh Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Personality

Origin: French crétin, from Swiss dialect for 'Christian' (used euphemistically for those with cretinism)

Also means

idiot

Usage Note

Cretino is a common, mildly vulgar insult meaning stupid or foolish, used both as adjective and noun (sei un cretino — 'you're an idiot'). As a noun the feminine is cretina. It is informal; avoid in formal registers. Historically it derived from a medical condition (iodine-deficiency), but that origin is completely lost in everyday use.

Examples

"Non fare il cretino, ascoltami."

Natural Translation

Don't be an idiot, listen to me.

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