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nemico
/ˈnɛ.mi.ko/
enemy
Il nemico comune di tutti noi è la povertà.
The common enemy of all of us is poverty.
general
A person or group that is actively opposed to or hostile toward someone or something.
I nemici si incontrarono in battaglia.
The enemies met on the battlefield.
Non avere nemici è segno di saggezza.
Having no enemies is a sign of wisdom.
Used in both personal and abstract contexts (e.g., 'nemico pubblico' = public enemy).
formal
In historical or legal contexts, an adversary in a conflict or dispute.
Durante la guerra, ogni soldato deve sconfiggere il suo nemico.
During the war, every soldier must defeat their enemy.
Common in military, political, or legal discourse.
Collocations
Synonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Gender Agreement
The plural form of 'nemico' is 'nemici' (masculine) or 'nemiche' (feminine). Use 'nemiche' when referring to female enemies.
Gold Rule
Context Matters
Use 'nemico' for serious opposition (e.g., war, conflict). For friendly rivalry, use 'avversario' or 'rivale'.
Word Origin
From Latin 'inimicus' (enemy), composed of 'in-' (not) + 'amicus' (friend), with the sense of 'not a friend'. The term entered Italian via Vulgar Latin around the 13th century.
Usage Notes
In Italian, 'nemico' is a strong term often used in serious or dramatic contexts. It can refer to personal enemies or abstract oppositions (e.g., 'nemico della pace' = enemy of peace). Avoid using it lightly in casual conversation.
Word Breakdown
in-
prefix meaning 'not'
prefix-amico
friend
rootDizionario Italiano-Inglese