Usage Note
Minchione is a vulgar-register insult (though milder than its root minchia) meaning a gullible fool or blockhead, common in central and southern Italy. It can be used with grudging affection between close friends but is offensive to strangers. The feminine minchiona exists but is less frequent.
Examples
"Non fare il minchione!"
Natural Translation
Don't be an idiot!
Literal Translation
Don't make the fool!

Free starter pack
Building your Italian vocabulary?
Get the 100 most common Italian words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.
Related Words
Explore Italian by topic