C1 adjective Formal to standard. It's not typically used in very informal conversational settings but is common in written language and more considered speech.

callido

/ˈkallido/

Exemples

1

Era un avvocato callido, sempre pronto a trovare una scappatoia legale.

He was a shrewd lawyer, always ready to find a legal loophole.

2

La sua mente callida gli permise di risolvere il problema in poco tempo.

His cunning mind allowed him to solve the problem in a short time.

3

Un politico callido sa come manipolare l'opinione pubblica.

A shrewd politician knows how to manipulate public opinion.

4

Il detective era noto per il suo approccio callido alle indagini.

The detective was known for his astute approach to investigations.

5

Non sottovalutare l'intelligenza callida di quel vecchio mercante.

Don't underestimate the shrewd intelligence of that old merchant.

Collocations courantes

mente callida (shrewd mind)
avvocato callido (shrewd lawyer)
politico callido (shrewd politician)

How to Use It

Notes d'usage

Use 'callido' when you want to convey a sense of practical intelligence, astuteness, or a cleverness that might border on cunning. It's often used for someone who is good at strategizing or finding ways around obstacles.

Erreurs courantes

Confusing it with simply 'clever' or 'smart'; 'callido' has a more specific implication of shrewdness or even guile.
Always assuming a negative connotation; it can be neutral or even positive depending on the context.

Tips

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Origine du mot

From Latin 'callidus', meaning 'skillful', 'experienced', 'cunning'. Related to 'callus', referring to hard skin developed from experience or toil.

Contexte culturel

In Italian culture, 'furbo' (cunning, sly) is often used for a similar concept but can carry a more overtly negative or playful connotation. 'Callido' tends to be a slightly more elevated and less colloquial term, emphasizing the skill and strategic thinking involved rather than just slyness.

Astuce mémo

Imagine a 'CALM' person who is so skilled and 'LID'erally 'DO'ing everything perfectly because they are so shrewd.

Questions fréquentes

3 questions

Not necessarily. While it can imply manipulation, it often refers to a positive shrewdness or astuteness in handling situations effectively. The context is key.

'Intelligente' (intelligent) is a general term for mental acuity. 'Callido' specifically points to a practical, often strategic, cleverness in navigating affairs or problems, sometimes with a nuance of guile.

While primarily used for people, one could colloquially describe an animal as 'callido' if it demonstrates clever, strategic behavior. For objects, it would be highly unusual and likely metaphorical.

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