Italian word of the day
Coso is a colloquial term that is used as a placeholder or a vague reference when someone can’t remember a particular name for something. It’s similar to saying “thingamajig”, “thingy” or “whatchamacallit” in English. Don’t use coso in formal language.
Pronunciation | |
English translation | Whatchamacallit, thingamajig |
Origin | From the Italian word cosa, “thing” or, in questions, “what” |
Different forms of coso
Like most nouns in Italian, coso has two articles (definite or indefinite articles) and two numbers (singular or plural).
Un coso
A whatchamacallit
Dei cosi
Some whatchamacallits
Il coso
The whatchamacallit
I cosi
The whatchamacallits

Examples
Cos’è quel coso sul tavolino del soggiorno? | What is that whatchamacallit on the coffee table in the living room? |
Mi passi quel coso? Sì, quel coso azzurro. | Can you pass me that thingamajig? Yes, that blue thing. |
Come si chiama quel coso per avvitare le viti? – Cacciavite. | What do you call that thingamajig for screwing in screws? – Screwdriver. |
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