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privato

private

adjective pree-VAH-toh Common
People & Society Work

Origin: Latin privatus (set apart)

Also means

personal

Usage Note

Privato contrasts with pubblico (public): scuola privata = private school, settore privato = private sector. As a noun un privato means 'a private individual' (as opposed to a company or the state). The phrase in privato means 'in private / privately.' It is not a false friend — it corresponds closely to English 'private.'

Examples

"Preferisce il settore privato."

Natural Translation

She prefers the private sector.

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