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decente

decent

adjective deh-CHEN-teh Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Quality

Origin: From Latin 'decens / decentis', present participle of 'decere' — to be fitting.

Also means

respectable

Usage Note

Decente functions as both a moral judgement (a decent person) and a quality assessment (a decent meal, a decent wage). Like all -ente adjectives it has one form for both genders: un lavoro decente, una paga decente. In colloquial Italian it can be mildly understated praise — roughly 'not bad' — rather than a strong compliment.

Examples

"Questo ristorante offre un pasto decente a buon prezzo."

Natural Translation

This restaurant offers a decent meal at a good price.

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