sottosviluppo

underdevelopment

noun sot-toh-zvee-LOOP-poh Rare

Origin: Calque of English 'underdevelopment', post-WWII coinage.

Usage Note

Sottosviluppo is used in economics and politics to describe economic underdevelopment, typically of a region or country. It is nearly always singular; a plural sottosviluppi exists but is rare. The related adjective is sottosviluppato (underdeveloped).

Examples

"Il sottosviluppo è un problema globale."

Natural Translation

Underdevelopment is a global problem.

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