scorciatoia

shortcut

noun skor-chah-TOH-yah Rare

Origin: From scorciare ('to shorten') + -toia (suffix for tools/paths).

Usage Note

Scorciatoia means a physical shortcut path, but is just as common figuratively for a quick fix or shortcut method (prendere una scorciatoia = 'to take a shortcut'). The figurative sense often implies cutting corners. The plural is scorciatoie (regular -a/-e).

Examples

"Conosco una scorciatoia per arrivare prima."

Natural Translation

I know a shortcut to get there sooner.

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