The generic noun used to refer to someone who steals is ladro in Italian. When referring to a woman, it is possible to use the feminine equivalent ladra.
ladro
thief
The definite and indefinite articles for ladro and ladra are as follows:
- il ladro = the thief (m)
- un ladro = a thief (m)
- i ladri = the thieves (m)
- dei ladri = some thieves (m)
- la ladra = the thief (f)
- una ladra = a thief (f)
- le ladre = the thieves (f)
- delle ladre = some thieves (f)
Figuratively speaking, you can use this word to describe someone who engages in dishonest business practices. For example, if your plumber charges you $200 for a job that would normally cost $100, you could call him a ladro.
Quel negoziante è un ladro. Mi ha fatto pagare $50 per questa cianfrusaglia senza valore.
That shopkeeper is a thief. He charged me $50 for this worthless trinket.
Ladro can also be used as an adjective with the meaning thieving, dishonest or cheating. Coming back to our thieving plumber, we could describe him as un idraulico ladro.
Before we wrap up this article, let’s take a look at a few related terms:
- ladrone – An old-fashioned way of referring to a thief. It is the augmentative form of ladro (ladro + -one). It was mainly used to refer to a brigand or bandit who attacked travellers on the road to rob them. It is also the root of the word ladro.
- latro – The archaic form of ladro. It is no longer in use.
- ladroneria – This means robbery.
- ladrocinio – This can be translated as thievery, pilfering, or filching.
- ladruncolo / ladruncola – A young thief or a petty thief.
- ladresco – An adjective that means dishonest or fraudulent.
Italian expressions that use ‘ladro’
Al ladro!
Meaning: Stop, thief!
Literal translation: To the thief!
Andarsene come un ladro
Meaning: To leave in a sly, careless or rude manner
Literal translation: To leave like a thief
Ladro di cuori
Meaning: Dongiovanni or heartbreaker
Literal translation: Thief of hearts
Tempo da ladri
Meaning: Bad weather
Literal translation: Weather of thieves
Ladro in guanti gialli
Meaning: A thief with a distinguished appearance and refined manners
Literal translation: Thief in yellow gloves
Vestito come un ladro
Meaning: To be dressed in a sloppy and unseemly manner
Literal translation: Dressed like a thief
Trattare qualcuno come un ladro
Meaning: To treat someone in a rude way
Literal translation: To treat someone like a thief
Heather Broster is a graduate with honours in linguistics from the University of Western Ontario. She is an aspiring polyglot, proficient in English and Italian, as well as Japanese, Welsh, and French to varying degrees of fluency. Originally from Toronto, Heather has resided in various countries, notably Italy for a period of six years. Her primary focus lies in the fields of language acquisition, education, and bilingual instruction.
