Skip to content

retorica

rhetoric

noun reh-TOH-ree-kah Rare
Communication Speech

Origin: Greek rhētorikē (art of speaking)

Usage Note

Retorica can mean the classical art of rhetoric (a field of study) or, more commonly in everyday Italian, empty or deceptive talk — è solo retorica means 'it's just hot air.' The adjective retorico also gives the phrase domanda retorica (rhetorical question). Its negative connotation is stronger in Italian than in English.

Examples

"Il discorso era pieno di retorica vuota."

Natural Translation

The speech was full of empty rhetoric.

Explore Italian by topic