Pantofolaio

Meaning of pantofolaio in Italian

Pantofolaio is the Italian translation for couch potato. It describes someone who spends a lot of time indoors and may not be very active or adventurous.

OriginFrom the Italian word pantofola, meaning “slipper”; there’s this idea of comfort associated with being at home, particularly when wearing slippers.
Pronunciation/ˈpantofoˈlaːjo/

Pantofolaio
Couch potato

A feminine version exists, pantofolaia.


Pantofolaio in Italian: Different forms

Like most nouns in Italian, pantofolaio has two articles (definite or indefinite articles) and two numbers (singular or plural).

Un pantofolaio
A couch potato

Dei pantofolai
Some couch potatoes

Il pantofolaio
The couch potato

I pantofolai
The couch potatoes

a woman relaxing on a couch

Pantofolaio in Italian: Examples

Luca è un vero pantofolaio. Non esce quasi mai!
Luke is a real couch potato. He hardly ever goes out!

Mio nonno, ormai anziano, è diventato un pantofolaio.
My grandpa, now an old man, became a couch potato.

Mi piace trascorrere il weekend a leggere sul divano. Sono una pantofolaia!
I like to spend the weekend reading on the couch. I am a couch potato!


Poltrone is another way you can translate “couch potato” into Italian. This word comes from poltrona, “armchair”, and it’s used to describe someone who spends too much time sitting or lounging around rather than being active or productive, so “slacker” or “loafer” would be a better translation. Differently from pantofolaio, it’s a derogatory term.

Sveglia quel poltrone di tuo fratello e digli di venire qui!
Wake up your loafer brother and tell him to come here!

a brown sofa

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