Italian · Emotions & Descriptions

"Nice (pleasant)" in Italian: simpatico/a

simpatico/a

Say it: seem-PAH-tee-kohadjective/simˈpa.ti.ko/

Nice as in likeable in Italian is simpatico (m) / simpatica (f) (seem-PAH-tee-koh). It means pleasant company, not nice weather—that is bello.

After meeting someone

Marco è davvero simpatico.
Marco is really nice.
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How to pronounce simpatico/a

Say it

seem-PAH-tee-koh

/simˈpa.ti.ko/

Simpatico stresses PAH: seem-PAH-tee-koh. Simpatica is seem-PAH-tee-kah.

"Nice (pleasant)" in Italian: quick reference

ItalianEnglish
simpaticonice / likeable (m)

Masculine singular.

simpaticanice / likeable (f)

Feminine singular.

simpatici / simpatichenice (plural)

Agree with the people.

che simpatico!how nice / what a likeable guy!

Warm reaction.

How to use simpatico/a in real life

  1. 1After meeting someone

    Marco è davvero simpatico.

    Marco is really nice.

    Simpatico for a man.

  2. 2Describing a friend

    Lei è simpatica e fa ridere tutti.

    She's nice and makes everyone laugh.

    Simpatica for a woman.

  3. 3Group of friends

    I tuoi amici sono simpatici.

    Your friends are nice.

    Plural simpatici.

Mistakes English speakers make with simpatico/a

Incorrect: È nice.

Correct: È simpatico.

Use simpatico/a for likeable.

Incorrect: Una giornata simpatica for sunny weather.

Correct: Una bella giornata.

Weather uses bello, not simpatico.

Good to know

Simpatico is high praise for personality: friendly, fun, easy to be around. Nice food is buono; a nice view is bello. Learners who translate every nice as simpatico sound odd.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Talking about a new classmate

  1. ChatPal

    Com'è il ragazzo nuovo?

    What's the new guy like?

  2. You

    È simpatico, parla con tutti.

    He's nice, he talks to everyone.

  3. ChatPal

    Anche la sua amica sembra simpatica.

    His friend seems nice too.

  4. You

    Sì. Sono entrambi simpatici.

    Yes. They're both nice.

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"Nice (pleasant)" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Nice (pleasant)" in Italian

Simpatico vs gentile?

Simpatico is likeable/fun; gentile is kind/polite.

Gender forms?

Simpatico, simpatica, simpatici, simpatiche.

Nice weather?

Bel tempo or una bella giornata—not simpatico.

Nice to meet you?

Piacere, not sono simpatico.

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