Italian word
banale
banal, trivial, unoriginal, predictable
Looks like
banal
lacking originality, trite (same meaning but used more strongly in Italian)
⚠️ The trap
A true cognate, but Italians use 'banale' constantly as a strong put-down. English speakers underuse 'banal' — in Italian it is the default word for anything predictable or unoriginal.
To say "lacking originality, trite (same meaning but used more strongly in Italian)" in Italian:
banale (correct cognate, but used far more frequently and forcefully in Italian)
"banale" in English means:
banal, trivial, unoriginal, predictable
Example
"Non essere banale — digli qualcosa di originale."
"Don't be banal — tell him something original."
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