Casualinterjection
cavolo
darn, heck, shoot
Literal Translation
"cabbage"
Formal Equivalent
accidenti
Examples in Context
"Cavolo, ho dimenticato le chiavi a casa!"
"Darn, I forgot my keys at home!"
"Ma che cavolo dici?"
"What the heck are you talking about?"
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Cultural Note
'Cavolo' is the family-friendly substitute for the much stronger 'cazzo.' It is safe to use in front of children, at work, or with people you do not know well. Everyone understands you are softening the real word, but it is socially accepted everywhere.
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