pedofilia

paedophilia

noun peh-doh-FEE-lyah Rare

Origin: From Greek 'paidos' (child) + 'philia' (love/attraction) — a clinical term coined in late-19th-century psychiatry.

Usage Note

Pedofilia is the standard clinical and legal term in Italian for sexual attraction to children, treated as a crime under Italian law. It is feminine: la pedofilia. In news and legal contexts it appears alongside pedofilo (noun/adjective for the offender). The word carries no register ambiguity — it is used in formal, medical, and journalistic writing.

Examples

"La legge italiana punisce severamente la pedofilia."

Natural Translation

Italian law punishes paedophilia severely.

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