educato 30秒で
- Educato means 'polite' or 'well-mannered' in Italian, describing someone's social behavior and upbringing rather than their academic level or university degrees.
- It is a major false friend for English speakers who often confuse it with 'educated,' which is 'istruito' or 'colto' in Italian.
- The word must agree in gender and number with the person it describes: educato (m), educata (f), educati (m.pl), educate (f.pl).
- Its opposite is 'maleducato,' a strong term for someone who is rude or lacks basic social graces and respect for others.
The Italian adjective educato is one of the most significant 'false friends' for English speakers beginning their journey into the Italian language. While it looks remarkably similar to the English word 'educated,' its primary meaning is fundamentally different. In Italian, educato refers to someone who has good manners, is polite, and follows social etiquette. It describes a person's behavior and upbringing rather than their academic achievements or the number of degrees they hold. When an Italian says a child is molto educato, they are complimenting the parents on the child's behavior, specifically that the child says 'per favore' (please) and 'grazie' (thank you), and knows how to behave in social settings.
- Core Meaning
- The term describes the quality of being polite, courteous, and respectful of social norms. It is the opposite of 'maleducato' (rude).
Il cameriere è stato molto educato nonostante la nostra fretta.
Understanding the nuance of educato requires looking at the Italian concept of 'educazione.' In Italy, 'educazione' encompasses the entire process of raising a child to be a functional and respectful member of society. This includes moral guidance, social graces, and respect for elders. If you want to say someone is 'educated' in the sense of having gone to university, you would use words like istruito, colto, or laureato. Using educato to mean 'having a PhD' is a common error that can lead to confusion, as you might be praising someone's manners when you intended to praise their intellect.
- Social Context
- In Italian culture, being 'educato' is a highly valued trait. It is often the first thing people notice in a stranger. A 'persona educata' is someone who knows when to use the formal 'Lei' and when it is appropriate to switch to the informal 'tu.'
È un bambino così educato; saluta sempre tutti i vicini.
The word is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. In a job interview, being described as educato suggests you have professional decorum. In a romantic context, it implies a gentlemanly or lady-like behavior. It is a cornerstone of 'la bella figura,' the Italian philosophy of making a good impression and maintaining dignity. To be maleducato (the opposite) is a significant social slight in Italy, often taken more personally than a simple lack of knowledge.
- Grammar Note
- As an adjective, it must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies: educato (masculine singular), educata (feminine singular), educati (masculine plural), educate (feminine plural).
Using educato correctly involves more than just placing it in a sentence; it requires understanding the agreement of Italian adjectives. Because educato ends in '-o,' it follows the standard four-ending pattern. If you are talking about a man, you say Lui è educato. If you are talking about a woman, you say Lei è educata. For groups, use Loro sono educati (masculine or mixed) or Loro sono educate (feminine only). This agreement is crucial for sounding natural and being understood.
Le ragazze sono state molto educate durante la visita al museo.
- Placement
- In Italian, adjectives usually follow the noun. You would say 'un ragazzo educato' (a polite boy). However, for emphasis, you can occasionally place it before the noun, though 'educato' is almost always found after the verb 'essere' (to be) or after the noun it describes.
When you want to intensify the meaning, you can use adverbs like molto (very), estremamente (extremely), or the suffix -issimo. A person who is exceptionally polite is educatissimo. This is a very common way to express high praise for someone's behavior in Italian culture. Conversely, if someone is only moderately polite, you might say they are abbastanza educato.
È un uomo educatissimo, di altri tempi.
It is also useful in negative constructions. To say someone is not polite, you can say non è educato. However, Italians more frequently use the specific antonym maleducato to describe rudeness. Saying non è molto educato is a softer, more diplomatic way to suggest that someone's behavior was slightly off or lacking in grace.
- Common Verb Pairings
- 'Essere' (to be) is the most common verb. 'Sembrare' (to seem) and 'Dimostrarsi' (to prove oneself to be) are also used frequently: 'Si è dimostrato molto educato' (He proved to be very polite).
You will hear educato in a wide variety of daily situations in Italy. One of the most common places is in the household, where parents are constantly teaching their children social norms. You might hear a mother say to her child, 'Sii educato!' (Be polite!) when meeting a new person. It is a fundamental part of the 'educazione' (upbringing) that Italian families pride themselves on. In this context, it isn't just about saying 'please' and 'thank you,' but about showing respect to elders and behaving appropriately in public spaces.
I nonni dicono sempre che Marco è il nipote più educato.
In the service industry, educato is used to describe the quality of interaction between staff and customers. If you go to a restaurant and the service is excellent, you might tell your friends, 'Il personale è molto educato' (The staff is very polite). Conversely, Italians are very sensitive to a lack of 'educazione' in shops or restaurants. A waiter who is dismissive or cold will quickly be labeled as 'poco educato' (not very polite) or 'maleducato' (rude).
- The Workplace
- In professional settings, 'educato' describes a colleague who is respectful and professional. It is often used in performance reviews or when discussing the character of a potential hire. A person who is 'educato' is seen as reliable and easy to work with.
You will also encounter this word in literature and films when characters are being described. It often sets a contrast between a refined, 'educato' character and one who is 'grezzo' (rough/unrefined). In the world of Italian social media, you might see users calling for a 'confronto educato' (a polite debate) in the comments section, emphasizing the need for civility even when people disagree.
Cerchiamo di mantenere un tono educato nella discussione.
The most frequent mistake English speakers make with educato is using it to mean 'educated' (as in, having a high degree of schooling). This is a classic false friend. If you want to say someone is highly educated, the correct word is istruito or colto. For example, 'He is highly educated' should be 'Lui è molto istruito,' not 'Lui è molto educato.' The latter implies he has great manners, which might be true, but it doesn't say anything about his university degrees.
- Mistake #1: The False Friend
- Confusing 'educato' (polite) with 'istruito' (educated). This is the 'trap' word for English learners.
Another common error involves gender and number agreement. English adjectives are invariant (polite boy, polite girls), but Italian adjectives must change. Forgetting to change educato to educata when referring to a woman is a tell-tale sign of a beginner. Similarly, using educati for a group of women instead of educate is a common slip-up.
*Maria è molto educato. (Incorrect - should be 'educata')
A third mistake is misunderstanding the word maleducato. While it literally translates to 'badly educated,' it actually means 'rude' or 'ill-mannered.' Some learners think it means someone who didn't go to school, but it specifically refers to behavior. You can be a university professor (very 'istruito') and still be 'maleducato' if you are rude to people.
- Mistake #2: Over-reliance on 'Polite'
- Sometimes learners use 'gentile' for everything. While 'gentile' (kind) and 'educato' (polite) are related, 'educato' specifically highlights the adherence to social rules and upbringing.
While educato is a great all-purpose word for 'polite,' Italian offers several alternatives depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Gentile is perhaps the most common synonym. It translates to 'kind' or 'gentle.' While an educato person follows the rules of etiquette, a gentile person shows genuine warmth and helpfulness. Often, a person is both, but not always.
- Educato vs. Gentile
- 'Educato' is about manners and social rules. 'Gentile' is about kindness and helpfulness. You can be 'educato' (polite but cold) without being 'gentile'.
Another alternative is cortese (courteous). This word is slightly more formal and often used in professional or high-society contexts. It suggests a level of refinement and old-world charm. If you receive a letter from a government office, it might be written in a 'tono cortese.' Similarly, garbato describes someone who is graceful and discreet in their politeness. It’s a very positive, subtle compliment.
La sua risposta è stata molto cortese e professionale.
For a more specific type of politeness, you might use rispettoso (respectful). This is used when someone shows proper deference to authority or elders. If you want to emphasize that someone has been raised with strong values, you could use beneducato (well-bred/well-raised), which is essentially a more emphatic version of educato.
- Educato vs. Istruito
- 'Educato' = Polite (Manners). 'Istruito' = Educated (Schooling). Never forget this distinction!
豆知識
The root 'duc-' in 'educato' is the same as in 'duce' (leader) and 'condurre' (to lead). So, being 'educato' literally means you have been 'led' well through your childhood! It's about the guidance you received.
発音ガイド
- Pronouncing the 'u' like the English 'u' in 'use' (yoo). It should be a pure 'oo' sound.
- Misplacing the stress on the first or second syllable.
- Pronouncing the final 'o' as a 'u' sound.
- Making the 't' sound too much like a 'd' (flapping).
- Treating it like the English word 'educated' and adding extra syllables.
レベル別の例文
Il mio amico è molto educato.
My friend is very polite.
Masculine singular agreement.
La bambina è educata.
The little girl is well-mannered.
Feminine singular agreement.
Siete ragazzi educati.
You are polite boys.
Masculine plural agreement.
Maria e Anna sono educate.
Maria and Anna are polite.
Feminine plural agreement.
Non essere maleducato!
Don't be rude!
Imperative with the antonym.
Lui è un uomo educato.
He is a polite man.
Adjective follows the noun.
Lei è sempre educata con tutti.
She is always polite with everyone.
Use of the adverb 'sempre'.
Grazie, sei molto educato.
Thank you, you are very polite.
Direct address using 'tu'.
Il cameriere è stato molto educato con noi.
The waiter was very polite with us.
Passato prossimo with 'essere'.
I tuoi figli sono davvero educatissimi.
Your children are truly very well-mannered.
Absolute superlative form.
Non è educato parlare con la bocca piena.
It is not polite to speak with your mouth full.
Impersonal construction 'Non è educato + infinitive'.
Cerco un coinquilino tranquillo ed educato.
I am looking for a quiet and polite roommate.
Adjective stringing.
Sua figlia si comporta in modo educato.
His/Her daughter behaves in a polite way.
Adverbial phrase 'in modo + adjective'.
Gli studenti sono stati educati durante la lezione.
The students were polite during the lesson.
Plural agreement.
È importante essere educati al lavoro.
It is important to be polite at work.
Impersonal 'È importante' + infinitive.
Perché non sei stato educato con la zia?
Why weren't you polite with your aunt?
Question in the past tense.
Se tutti fossero più educati, il mondo sarebbe migliore.
If everyone were more polite, the world would be better.
Periodo ipotetico (2nd type).
Ha risposto con un tono educato ma fermo.
He responded with a polite but firm tone.
Contrast using 'ma'.
L'educazione non è solo dire 'grazie'.
Politeness isn't just saying 'thank you'.
Noun form 'educazione'.
Bisogna essere educati anche quando si è arrabbiati.
One must be polite even when one is angry.
Impersonal 'bisogna'.
Mi ha colpito quanto fosse educato quel ragazzo.
I was struck by how polite that boy was.
Indirect question with subjunctive.
Non basta essere istruiti, bisogna essere anche educati.
It's not enough to be educated, one must also be polite.
Distinction between 'istruiti' and 'educati'.
Hanno ricevuto un'educazione molto rigida.
They received a very strict upbringing.
Noun 'educazione' as 'upbringing'.
È un gesto educato cedere il posto agli anziani.
It is a polite gesture to give up your seat to the elderly.
Infinitive as subject.
La sua mancanza di modi educati ha rovinato la cena.
His lack of polite manners ruined the dinner.
Noun phrase 'mancanza di modi'.
Nonostante lo stress, si è mantenuto educato.
Despite the stress, he remained polite.
Concessive clause with 'nonostante'.
È una persona squisita, sempre garbata ed educata.
He/She is an exquisite person, always graceful and polite.
Synonym 'garbata'.
Il dibattito si è svolto in modo civile ed educato.
The debate took place in a civilized and polite manner.
Adverbial usage.
Viene considerato un uomo d'altri tempi per quanto è educato.
He is considered a man of other times for how polite he is.
Passive construction 'viene considerato'.
L'essere educato gli ha aperto molte porte nella vita.
Being polite has opened many doors for him in life.
Substantivized infinitive 'L'essere'.
Non credo che sia stato molto educato da parte tua.
I don't think that was very polite on your part.
Subjunctive after 'non credo che'.
Si richiede un comportamento educato all'interno del circolo.
Polite behavior is required inside the club.
Si passivante.
La sua apparente cortesia nascondeva un animo poco educato.
His apparent courtesy hid a far from polite soul.
Contrast between appearance and reality.
È paradossale come un uomo così istruito sia tanto maleducato.
It's paradoxical how such an educated man can be so rude.
Paradox construction.
L'educazione è il lubrificante degli ingranaggi sociali.
Politeness is the lubricant of social gears.
Metaphorical usage.
Saper tacere al momento giusto è segno di un animo educato.
Knowing when to be silent is a sign of a polite soul.
Infinitive clause as a sign.
La deriva dei costumi rende l'essere educati una rarità.
The drift of customs makes being polite a rarity.
Sociological observation.
Si è congedato con un inchino educato e un sorriso enigmatico.
He took his leave with a polite bow and an enigmatic smile.
Descriptive narrative style.
Non v'è nulla di più seducente di un uomo colto ed educato.
There is nothing more seductive than a cultured and polite man.
Archaic/Literary 'v'è'.
L'ironia, se non è educata, scade facilmente nell'insulto.
Irony, if not polite, easily degrades into insult.
Conditional with nuanced nouns.
La sua retorica, pur essendo forbita, mancava di quel garbo educato necessario.
His rhetoric, while polished, lacked that necessary polite grace.
Gerund with 'pur'.
L'etichetta di corte imponeva un contegno estremamente educato.
Court etiquette imposed an extremely polite demeanor.
Historical terminology 'contegno'.
In un'epoca di barbarie digitale, il parlare educato è un atto rivoluzionario.
In an age of digital barbarism, polite speaking is a revolutionary act.
Substantivized infinitive.
Egli incarna l'ideale del gentiluomo: colto, raffinato e profondamente educato.
He embodies the ideal of the gentleman: cultured, refined, and deeply polite.
Asyndeton (list of adjectives).
La sottile linea tra l'essere educati e l'essere servili è spesso valicata.
The thin line between being polite and being servile is often crossed.
Philosophical comparison.
Il suo silenzio era più educato di mille parole di circostanza.
His silence was more polite than a thousand perfunctory words.
Comparative of majority.
La nobiltà d'animo si manifesta attraverso un agire educato e disinteressato.
Nobility of soul manifests through polite and selfless action.
Abstract subject with 'agire'.
Si ravvisava nel suo portamento un'educazione d'altri tempi, quasi desueta.
One could see in his bearing an upbringing of other times, almost obsolete.
Impersonal 'si ravvisava'.
よく使う組み合わせ
よく使うフレーズ
— A command given usually to children to behave properly.
Sii educato quando andiamo dai nonni!
— It's a matter of politeness/upbringing.
Non urlare, è una questione di educazione.
— A chivalrous/old-fashioned polite man.
Mio nonno era un uomo educato d'altri tempi.
— To lose one's manners (usually in a fit of anger).
Mi dispiace, ho perso l'educazione per un momento.
— To receive a great upbringing.
Si vede che ha ricevuto un'ottima educazione.
— To return to being polite (after a conflict).
Ora basta urlare, torniamo ad essere educati.
— To give the impression of being polite.
Cerca di fare la figura dell'educato stasera.
慣用句と表現
— Manners above everything else; politeness is the priority.
Non importa se sei stanco, l'educazione prima di tutto.
common— A polite way to call someone rude.
Il suo commento è stato decisamente poco educato.
diplomatic— Born and raised with good manners.
Lui è nato e cresciuto educato, non direbbe mai una parolaccia.
informal— Manners cannot be bought; they must be learned/taught.
Può essere ricco quanto vuole, ma l'educazione non si compra al mercato.
proverbial— A person from a good family/upbringing.
Si vede subito che è una persona di buona educazione.
formal— To temporarily forget one's manners (usually to be aggressive).
A volte bisogna mettere l'educazione in tasca e farsi valere.
informal— Without a shred of politeness.
Si è comportato senza un briciolo di educazione.
emphatic— As polite as a prince (very refined).
Quel bambino è educato come un principe.
informal— Sarcastic phrase used when someone is being rude.
Per certi guidatori, l'educazione è un optional.
slang/sarcastic— To stay polite despite provocation.
Dobbiamo rimanere educati anche se loro urlano.
neutral語族
名詞
動詞
形容詞
関連
暗記しよう
記憶術
Think of 'educato' as 'Edu-Catering' to others' feelings. A polite person 'caters' to social rules.
視覚的連想
Imagine a young boy bowing and saying 'Thank you' while holding a sign that says 'I was RAISED (Educated) well!'
Word Web
チャレンジ
Try to use 'educato' or 'educata' three times today when describing people you see in public or on TV. Remember to check the gender!
語源
From the Latin 'educatus,' the past participle of 'educare.' This Latin verb is a frequentative of 'educere,' which means 'to lead out' or 'to bring forth.' It suggests the process of leading a child out of a state of nature into a state of social refinement.
元の意味： To bring up, rear, or nourish (referring to children or animals).
Indo-European > Italic > Latin > Romance > ItalianSummary
The most important thing to remember is that 'educato' equals 'polite.' If you want to say someone is highly 'educated' in terms of schooling, use 'istruito.' Example: 'È un ragazzo educato' means 'He is a polite boy.'
- Educato means 'polite' or 'well-mannered' in Italian, describing someone's social behavior and upbringing rather than their academic level or university degrees.
- It is a major false friend for English speakers who often confuse it with 'educated,' which is 'istruito' or 'colto' in Italian.
- The word must agree in gender and number with the person it describes: educato (m), educata (f), educati (m.pl), educate (f.pl).
- Its opposite is 'maleducato,' a strong term for someone who is rude or lacks basic social graces and respect for others.
関連コンテンツ
socialの関連語
abbracciare
A2愛情を示すために誰かを抱きしめる。
accettare
A2To agree to something or receive willingly
accogliere
B1客を温かく迎える。
accompagnare
A1駅まであなたを送り（同行し）ましょうか？
accondiscendere
C1To agree or consent to a request
accordo
A1An understanding or harmony between people.
adulazione
C1excessive praise or flattery
adulto
A2a grown person
affrancarsi
C1自分自身を負担や制限から解放し、独立すること。
aiuto
A1The action of assisting someone
