federalismo

federalism

noun feh-deh-rah-LEEZ-moh Rare

Origin: From Latin foedus (treaty, alliance) via Italian federale + -ismo.

Usage Note

Federalismo is a key term in Italian political debate, often referring to the long-standing proposal to devolve more power from Rome to the regions (federalismo fiscale = fiscal federalism). It is almost exclusively used in political and administrative contexts; the system Italy currently has is better described as regionalismo.

Examples

"Il federalismo fiscale è un tema politico controverso in Italia."

Natural Translation

Fiscal federalism is a controversial political topic in Italy.

Related Words

Explore Italian by topic

ItalianNow

Italian Prepositions: A, In, Di, Da, Su Made Simple

Cities take a, countries take in, origin is di, agents are da. Master the five Italian prepositions a, in, di, da, su and their contractions fast.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

ItalianNow

Tu vs Lei: Formal & Informal "You" in Italian

When in doubt, use Lei. Here's exactly when to use tu vs Lei in Italian — the who-to-use-with map, the verb and possessive shifts, and how to switch politely.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

ItalianNow

Italian False Friends: 20 Words That Trick You

Italian false friends like preservativo, parenti, and caldo mean the opposite of what English speakers expect. Here are 20 ranked by how badly they bite.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

ItalianNow

You're Welcome in Italian: 8 Ways Beyond Prego

You're welcome in Italian is more than prego: say figurati to friends, si figuri to strangers, di niente, non c'è di che, or grazie a te. Pick the right one.

June 9, 2026 6 min read