Skip to content

primitivo

primitive

adjective pree-MEE-tee-voh Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Quality

Origin: From Latin primitivus, 'first of its kind'.

Also means

original

Usage Note

Primitivo can describe an early stage of civilisation (società primitiva, primitive society) or, less flatteringly, unsophisticated behaviour. As a noun, i primitivi refers to early humans or primitive peoples. It also names a southern Italian red wine grape variety — Primitivo di Manduria — which is related to Zinfandel.

Examples

"Gli strumenti primitivi erano fatti di pietra."

Natural Translation

Primitive tools were made of stone.

Explore Italian by topic