At the A1 level, you don't really need to use 'intatto' yet. You would usually say 'nuovo' (new) or 'non rotto' (not broken). However, it is good to recognize it in simple contexts, like when you buy something. If a teacher says 'Il libro è intatto', they mean the book is perfect and has no scribbles or torn pages. Think of it as a fancy way to say 'perfect' or 'like new'. You might see it on a sign in a shop saying 'confezione intatta' (unopened package). At this stage, just remember that it describes something that is not broken and ends in -o for masculine or -a for feminine. Don't worry about the plural forms yet. Just focus on the physical meaning: a toy that is 'intatto' is a toy that works and isn't broken. It is a helpful word to know if you are shopping in Italy and want to make sure your souvenirs are in good condition before you pay for them.
By A2, you can start using 'intatto' to describe simple physical objects. Instead of always saying 'bello' or 'nuovo', you can use 'intatto' to be more specific. For example, if you drop your phone and it doesn't break, you can say: 'Il mio telefono è intatto!'. This sounds much better than 'Il mio telefono non è rotto'. You should also start practicing the plural forms: 'i bicchieri sono intatti' (the glasses are intact). You will hear this word in travel contexts, like when a tour guide describes a historical building that still looks good. It is a step up in your vocabulary that makes you sound more observant. Remember that it usually goes after the noun. If you are talking about a gift you received, you could say 'La scatola è arrivata intatta', which shows you understand how to match the feminine noun 'scatola' with the feminine adjective 'intatta'. It is a very useful word for describing the condition of things in everyday life.
At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'intatto' in both physical and slightly more abstract ways. You can use it to describe nature or landscapes, which is very common in Italian travel writing. For instance, you might describe a 'borgo' (village) as 'intatto', meaning it hasn't changed since the Middle Ages. This level requires you to understand that 'intatto' implies a sense of survival—something was at risk of being damaged but remained whole. You can also use it in workplace contexts, such as 'il file è intatto' (the file is not corrupted). You should be able to use it with verbs like 'rimanere' (to remain) or 'mantenere' (to keep). For example: 'Dobbiamo mantenere intatto l'ambiente'. This shows you are moving beyond simple descriptions and starting to express opinions about preservation and care. You are also expected to handle all four forms (intatto, intatta, intatti, intatte) correctly without thinking too hard about the agreement rules.
At B2, you are expected to use 'intatto' in more formal and varied contexts. You should understand its metaphorical uses, such as describing a person's reputation or a feeling. For example, 'il suo onore è rimasto intatto' (his honor remained intact). You will encounter this word frequently in Italian literature and newspapers. At this level, you should also be able to distinguish 'intatto' from its synonyms like 'integro' or 'completo'. You might use it to discuss social issues, such as the importance of keeping cultural traditions 'intatte' in the face of globalization. Your use of the word should reflect an understanding of its nuance: it's not just about being 'whole', but about being 'unspoiled'. You should also be able to use it in the negative to describe things that are 'no longer intact' (non più intatto), perhaps when discussing a historical site that has been partially destroyed. This level marks the transition from using the word for physical objects to using it for complex concepts like values and heritage.
As a C1 learner, you should use 'intatto' with precision and stylistic flair. You understand that 'intatto' can be used to create a specific atmosphere in your writing or speaking. You might use it to describe an 'emozione intatta' (an emotion that hasn't faded over time), showing a high level of expressive capability. You are familiar with technical uses, such as in archaeology (una tomba intatta) or forensics (una scena del crimine intatta). You can also use it to discuss philosophical or political ideas, such as 'mantenere intatta la sovranità' (keeping sovereignty intact). At this level, you should be aware of the word's etymology and how it relates to concepts of 'touch' and 'contamination'. You can use it to contrast the 'pure' with the 'corrupted'. Your vocabulary is rich enough that you choose 'intatto' over 'intero' or 'nuovo' because you specifically want to emphasize the lack of alteration or damage. You also recognize when the word is used substantively in high-level literature, though this is rare.
At the C2 level, 'intatto' is a tool for nuance and poetic precision. You use it effortlessly in scholarly, literary, or highly formal contexts. You might use it to describe the 'integrità intatta' of a complex logical argument or the 'bellezza intatta' of a language that has resisted foreign influence. You are sensitive to the rhythmic qualities of the word in a sentence and might place it before the noun for stylistic emphasis in a formal speech (e.g., 'l'intatta purezza delle vette'). You understand the historical weight of the word in Italian culture, especially in relation to the country's vast artistic and architectural heritage. You can engage in deep discussions about what it means for a culture or a memory to remain 'intatta' in a rapidly changing world. At this level, your command of 'intatto' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, and you use it to convey subtle shades of meaning that involve resilience, purity, and the passage of time without decay.

intatto 30초 만에

  • Intatto means 'intact' or 'untouched', describing something undamaged.
  • It agrees in gender and number: intatto, intatta, intatti, intatte.
  • Used for physical objects, nature, reputations, and archaeological finds.
  • Commonly paired with verbs like 'rimanere' (to remain) or 'trovare' (to find).

The Italian adjective intatto is a powerful and evocative word that describes something that remains in its original, pure, or functional state without having suffered any damage, alteration, or human interference. Derived from the Latin intactus (from in- 'not' and tactus 'touched'), the word literally translates to 'untouched'. This etymological root is vital for English speakers to understand, as it mirrors the English word 'intact' but carries a broader range of emotional and poetic nuances in Italian discourse. Whether you are describing a physical object that survived a fall, an ancient ruin that has escaped the ravages of time, or a person's moral character that remains uncorrupted, intatto is the go-to term for expressing wholeness and preservation.

Physical Integrity
In its most literal sense, it refers to objects that are not broken. For example, if a glass falls and doesn't shatter, it is 'intatto'. It is frequently used in shipping and logistics to confirm that packaging has not been tampered with or damaged during transit.

Nonostante il lungo viaggio attraverso l'oceano, il pacco è arrivato perfettamente intatto.

Environmental Purity
It is used to describe landscapes, forests, or ecosystems that have not been modified by human development. A 'natura intatta' suggests a wilderness that looks exactly as it did centuries ago.

Abbiamo camminato per ore per raggiungere una spiaggia ancora intatta, lontana dal turismo di massa.

Abstract and Moral Use
Beyond the physical, 'intatto' describes reputations, honor, or feelings. If someone maintains their dignity despite hardship, their dignity is 'intatta'. This usage is common in literature and formal speeches.

La sua reputazione professionale è rimasta intatta anche dopo lo scandalo che ha coinvolto i suoi colleghi.

Gli archeologi hanno scoperto una tomba etrusca completamente intatta, piena di tesori d'oro.

In summary, 'intatto' is a versatile adjective that bridges the gap between the mundane (a box) and the sublime (a landscape or a soul). It is a C1 level word because it requires the speaker to understand subtle shifts from physical descriptions to metaphorical states of being.

Using intatto correctly requires attention to grammatical agreement, as it must match the gender and number of the noun it modifies. In Italian, this means you will encounter four forms: intatto (masculine singular), intatta (feminine singular), intatti (masculine plural), and intatte (feminine plural). Unlike some adjectives that might change meaning based on their position, intatto almost always follows the noun it describes when used in a descriptive sense, though it can precede the noun for poetic emphasis.

Agreement with Singular Nouns
When describing a singular masculine object like a 'vaso' (vase), use 'intatto'. For a feminine object like 'scatola' (box), use 'intatta'.

Il vaso è caduto dal tavolo ma è rimasto intatto.

Agreement with Plural Nouns
For plural masculine nouns like 'documenti' (documents), use 'intatti'. For feminine plural nouns like 'foreste' (forests), use 'intatte'.

Le mura della città medievale sono ancora largamente intatte.

Spero che il tuo entusiasmo per questo progetto rimanga intatto nel tempo.

Usage in Forensic Contexts
In legal or investigative language, it refers to a scene or evidence that has not been contaminated. This is a high-level usage frequent in news reports and crime novels.

La scena del crimine è stata preservata intatta per permettere i rilievi della scientifica.

Il sigillo di sicurezza non era più intatto, indicando una possibile effrazione.

Mastering 'intatto' involves understanding that it conveys a sense of perfection through preservation. It is not just that something is whole; it is that it has survived a potential threat to its wholeness.

While intatto can be used in daily life (like checking if your Amazon delivery is okay), it shines in specific professional and cultural domains in Italy. Understanding these contexts will help you sound more like a native speaker at a C1 level.

Art and Restoration
Italy is the world leader in art restoration. You will hear experts use 'intatto' to describe frescoes or statues that have survived without losing their original pigments or structural details. It is the ultimate compliment for a historical artifact.

È incredibile come i colori di questo affresco siano arrivati intatti fino a noi.

Environmental Activism
In discussions about climate change or urban sprawl, 'intatto' is used to describe the few remaining wild areas. Environmentalists argue for the preservation of 'territori intatti' (untouched territories).

Dobbiamo proteggere l'ecosistema intatto delle nostre montagne dall'eccessiva cementificazione.

Miracolosamente, il campanile della chiesa è rimasto intatto dopo la scossa di terremoto.

Emotional and Personal Contexts
It is used in deep conversations about relationships. If a friendship survives a betrayal or a long distance, one might say 'la nostra amicizia è ancora intatta'. It implies a resilience that withstands pressure.

Nonostante gli anni di silenzio, il mio affetto per lei è rimasto intatto.

Puoi restituire il prodotto solo se la confezione originale è ancora intatta.

From the laboratory to the living room, 'intatto' serves as a marker of quality and perseverance, making it an essential part of the sophisticated Italian vocabulary.

Even advanced learners can stumble when using intatto. The most frequent errors involve confusing it with similar-sounding words or using it in contexts where a different adjective would be more natural. Understanding these pitfalls will refine your fluency.

Mistake 1: Confusing 'Intatto' with 'Intero'
'Intero' means 'whole' or 'entire' in the sense of quantity or completeness. 'Intatto' means 'whole' in the sense of being undamaged. You would say 'ho mangiato una pizza intera' (I ate a whole pizza), but you would say 'la pizza è arrivata intatta' (the pizza arrived undamaged/not squashed).

Corretto: Ho letto il libro intero. (I read the whole book.)
Errato: Ho letto il libro intatto. (This would mean the book wasn't damaged while you read it, which sounds strange.)

Mistake 2: Gender/Number Mismatches
Because 'intatto' ends in -o, beginners often forget to change it to -a, -i, or -e. This is particularly common when the noun is far away from the adjective in the sentence.

Le finestre della casa, nonostante l'esplosione, sono rimaste intatte. (Not intatto!)

Mistake 3: Overuse in Casual Conversation
While not grammatically wrong, using 'intatto' for every 'okay' situation can sound overly formal. In casual settings, Italians might just say 'non si è fatto niente' (nothing happened to it/it's fine) or 'è tutto a posto'. Reserve 'intatto' for when you want to emphasize the remarkable nature of its preservation.

Uso Formale: Il reperto è stato rinvenuto intatto.
Uso Informale: Il telefono è caduto ma non ha nemmeno un graffio, è perfetto.

L'autista è uscito dall'auto illeso, ma il motore non è più intatto.

By avoiding these common traps, you will demonstrate a sophisticated command of Italian vocabulary that respects the subtle boundaries between similar concepts.

To truly master 'intatto', you must know its neighbors in the semantic field. Italian offers a rich variety of words to describe wholeness, each with its own specific flavor and context. Choosing the right one is the hallmark of a C1 speaker.

Integro vs. Intatto
'Integro' implies that nothing has been taken away. It is often used for moral integrity (onestà) or for physical systems that are complete. While often interchangeable with 'intatto', 'integro' sounds slightly more formal and structural.

È un uomo di principi integri. (He is a man of upright principles.)

Immacolato vs. Intatto
'Immacolato' means 'spotless' or 'without a stain' (from 'macchia'). Use this when the emphasis is on cleanliness or purity rather than structural wholeness. A white shirt or a fresh snowfall is 'immacolato'.

La neve sulla cima della montagna era ancora immacolata.

Incorrotto vs. Intatto
'Incorrotto' is a high-register word often used in religious or philosophical contexts to describe something that does not decay or has not been corrupted by evil or time. It is much more specific than 'intatto'.

Il corpo del santo è stato trovato incorrotto secoli dopo la sua morte.

Sano e Salvo vs. Intatto
This is an idiomatic expression meaning 'safe and sound'. While 'intatto' describes the object, 'sano e salvo' describes the condition of a person or animal after a dangerous event.

Tutti i passeggeri sono tornati a casa sani e salvi.

Understanding these synonyms allows you to paint more precise pictures in your Italian communication, moving from basic descriptions to nuanced storytelling.

수준별 예문

1

Il mio giocattolo è intatto.

My toy is intact.

Masculine singular agreement.

2

La mela è intatta.

The apple is untouched.

Feminine singular agreement.

3

Il pacco è intatto.

The package is intact.

Used to describe delivery condition.

4

I libri sono intatti.

The books are intact.

Masculine plural agreement.

5

La finestra è intatta.

The window is intact.

Feminine singular.

6

Le scatole sono intatte.

The boxes are intact.

Feminine plural agreement.

7

Il regalo è intatto.

The gift is intact.

Basic descriptive use.

8

Il vetro è intatto.

The glass is intact.

Simple subject-adjective structure.

1

Ho trovato il mio vecchio diario intatto.

I found my old diary intact.

Agreement with 'diario'.

2

Nonostante la pioggia, il vestito è intatto.

Despite the rain, the dress is intact.

Use of 'nonostante'.

3

I piatti sono rimasti intatti dopo il trasloco.

The plates remained intact after the move.

Verb 'rimanere' + adjective.

4

Questa antica moneta è ancora intatta.

This ancient coin is still intact.

Adverb 'ancora' modifying the state.

5

La torta è intatta, nessuno l'ha mangiata.

The cake is untouched, nobody ate it.

Context of 'untouched'.

6

Abbiamo trovato le chiavi intatte nel fango.

We found the keys intact in the mud.

Feminine plural agreement.

7

Il castello è intatto dopo molti anni.

The castle is intact after many years.

Describing historical state.

8

La tua bicicletta è ancora intatta?

Is your bicycle still intact?

Interrogative form.

1

La natura in questa valle è rimasta intatta.

The nature in this valley has remained untouched.

Metaphorical use for environment.

2

Voglio che il mio segreto rimanga intatto.

I want my secret to remain intact.

Abstract usage.

3

Il borgo medievale è perfettamente intatto.

The medieval village is perfectly intact.

Use of adverb 'perfettamente'.

4

Le prove del crimine sono intatte.

The evidence of the crime is intact.

Forensic context.

5

Nonostante le critiche, la sua fiducia è intatta.

Despite the criticism, her confidence is intact.

Abstract emotional state.

6

Il ghiacciaio è ancora intatto in questa zona.

The glacier is still intact in this area.

Environmental context.

7

Spero di trovare la casa intatta al mio ritorno.

I hope to find the house intact upon my return.

Common expectation context.

8

Le tradizioni locali sono rimaste intatte per secoli.

Local traditions have remained intact for centuries.

Cultural preservation.

1

La reputazione dell'azienda è rimasta intatta nonostante lo scandalo.

The company's reputation remained intact despite the scandal.

High-level abstract noun agreement.

2

Gli archeologi hanno scoperto un tempio quasi intatto.

Archaeologists discovered an almost intact temple.

Technical archaeological use.

3

Il suo entusiasmo per la vita è rimasto intatto negli anni.

His enthusiasm for life remained intact over the years.

Describing a personality trait.

4

Dobbiamo preservare intatto questo patrimonio culturale.

We must preserve this cultural heritage intact.

Object-adjective placement for emphasis.

5

La struttura dell'edificio è intatta, ma l'interno è distrutto.

The building's structure is intact, but the interior is destroyed.

Contrastive usage.

6

Il sigillo della lettera era ancora intatto quando è arrivata.

The letter's seal was still intact when it arrived.

Specific detail focus.

7

Il paesaggio è rimasto intatto grazie alle leggi di protezione.

The landscape remained untouched thanks to protection laws.

Causal relationship with 'grazie a'.

8

Le mura romane sono ancora intatte in alcuni punti della città.

The Roman walls are still intact in some parts of the city.

Historical/Architectural context.

1

L'opera d'arte è arrivata intatta alla galleria, superando ogni aspettativa.

The artwork arrived intact at the gallery, exceeding all expectations.

Sophisticated narrative structure.

2

Il suo rigore morale è rimasto intatto nonostante le tentazioni del potere.

His moral rigor remained intact despite the temptations of power.

High-register moral description.

3

È raro trovare una tomba etrusca così intatta e priva di saccheggi.

It is rare to find an Etruscan tomb so intact and free from looting.

Specific historical terminology.

4

La bellezza intatta di queste montagne toglie il fiato.

The untouched beauty of these mountains takes your breath away.

Adjective preceding the noun for poetic effect.

5

L'integrità del sistema informatico è rimasta intatta dopo l'attacco hacker.

The IT system's integrity remained intact after the hacker attack.

Modern technical context.

6

Nonostante il passare dei secoli, il fascino di Venezia rimane intatto.

Despite the passing centuries, Venice's charm remains intact.

Abstract cultural fascination.

7

Hanno cercato di corromperlo, ma la sua onestà è uscita intatta.

They tried to bribe him, but his honesty came out intact.

Metaphorical survival of a trial.

8

Il documento originale è intatto e conservato nell'archivio segreto.

The original document is intact and kept in the secret archive.

Formal administrative context.

1

L'intatta purezza del suo spirito rifletteva una vita dedicata alla contemplazione.

The untouched purity of his spirit reflected a life dedicated to contemplation.

Literary placement and high-register vocabulary.

2

Il manoscritto, miracolosamente intatto, rivelò segreti dimenticati da millenni.

The manuscript, miraculously intact, revealed secrets forgotten for millennia.

Parenthetical adverbial use.

3

Mantenere intatta la propria identità in un mondo globalizzato è una sfida ardua.

Keeping one's identity intact in a globalized world is a difficult challenge.

Infinitive phrase as subject.

4

La logica del suo ragionamento rimase intatta nonostante le feroci obiezioni.

The logic of his reasoning remained intact despite the fierce objections.

Abstract intellectual integrity.

5

L'ecosistema dell'atollo è rimasto intatto solo grazie al suo isolamento geografico.

The atoll's ecosystem remained intact only thanks to its geographical isolation.

Scientific/Ecological precision.

6

La sua dignità, intatta e fiera, non vacillò nemmeno di fronte alla sconfitta.

His dignity, intact and proud, did not waver even in the face of defeat.

Appositive adjectives for emphasis.

7

Il valore della moneta è rimasto intatto grazie a politiche economiche oculate.

The currency's value remained intact thanks to prudent economic policies.

Economic/Formal register.

8

Riuscì a consegnare il messaggio intatto, nonostante le mille peripezie del viaggio.

He managed to deliver the message intact, despite the thousand vicissitudes of the journey.

Narrative complexity.

자주 쓰는 조합

rimanere intatto
confezione intatta
natura intatta
patrimonio intatto
onore intatto
scena intatta
sigillo intatto
bellezza intatta
ecosistema intatto
fede intatta

자주 쓰는 구문

Tutto intatto

— Everything is in one piece. Used after a potential disaster.

Ho controllato la cucina dopo il terremoto: tutto intatto!

Arrivare intatto

— To arrive without damage. Common in shipping.

Spero che lo specchio arrivi intatto.

Mantenere intatto

— To preserve or keep something in its original state.

Dobbiamo mantenere intatto lo spirito di squadra.

Trovare intatto

— To discover something in its original condition.

Hanno trovato un villaggio romano intatto sotto terra.

Lasciare intatto

— To not touch or change something.

Lascia il mio ufficio intatto, per favore.

Apparire intatto

— To seem undamaged at first glance.

L'auto appariva intatta, ma il motore era rotto.

Sembrare intatto

— To look intact.

Il bicchiere sembra intatto, ma ha una crepa.

Preservare intatto

— To protect and keep whole.

Il museo vuole preservare intatto l'archivio.

Uscire intatto

— To come out of a situation without being changed or hurt.

È uscito intatto da quella brutta esperienza.

Riconsegnare intatto

— To return something in the same condition you borrowed it.

Ti riconsegnerò il libro intatto.

관용어 및 표현

"Salvare capra e cavoli e restare intatti"

— To manage to save two conflicting interests while remaining unharmed.

Ha gestito la crisi salvando capra e cavoli e restando intatto.

informal
"Uscirne con l'onore intatto"

— To emerge from a difficult situation with one's reputation preserved.

Nonostante le accuse, ne è uscito con l'onore intatto.

formal
"Mantenere il cuore intatto"

— To not become cynical or hardened by life's difficulties.

Nonostante le delusioni, ha mantenuto il cuore intatto.

poetic
"Essere un pezzo intatto di storia"

— To be a living relic or a perfectly preserved historical site.

Questa piazza è un pezzo intatto di storia rinascimentale.

neutral
"Restare intatti nel tempo"

— To not change or age at all.

I suoi lineamenti sono restati intatti nel tempo.

literary
"Un legame rimasto intatto"

— A bond that has not weakened despite time or distance.

Il nostro legame è rimasto intatto dopo vent'anni.

emotional
"Uno spirito intatto"

— A spirit that has not been broken by hardship.

Il prigioniero aveva ancora uno spirito intatto.

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