propaganda

noun proh-pah-GAHN-dah Rare

Origin: From Latin propaganda fide (things to be propagated in faith), used by a 17th-century Vatican congregation.

Usage Note

Propaganda is a false friend for English speakers: while it has the same negative sense ('biased political messaging'), it can also be used in Italian more neutrally to mean advertising or publicity (fare propaganda — to promote or campaign). Context determines whether it is pejorative. The plural le propagande is rare; the word is typically used in the singular.

Examples

"Il governo usava la propaganda per controllare l'opinione pubblica."

Natural Translation

The government used propaganda to control public opinion.

Related Words

Explore Italian by topic

ItalianNow

C'è vs Ci Sono: There Is/Are in Italian

C'è for one thing, ci sono for many — that's the rule. Master Italian's there is/there are with c'era, ci sarà, è vs c'è, and non c'è nessuno.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Essere vs Avere: Italian Past Tense Made Simple

In the passato prossimo, use avere for most verbs and essere for movement, change, and reflexives — plus the agreement trap English speakers always miss.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Articles: Il, Lo, La, I, Gli, Le Explained

Italian has seven words for 'the' — il, lo, la, i, gli, le — but it's two questions, not seven cases. Master gender, sound, and the lo/gli rule fast.

June 5, 2026 7 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Diminutives: -ino, -etto, -one Explained

Italian diminutives like -ino, -etto, and -one signal size, affection, or contempt. Learn to read the feeling, dodge gender flips, and spot false diminutives.

June 9, 2026 6 min read