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superficiale

superficial

adjective soo-per-fee-CHAH-leh Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Personality

Origin: Latin superficialis, from superficies (surface).

Also means

shallow

Usage Note

Superficiale describes both physical surfaces (ferita superficiale — a superficial wound) and people or attitudes that lack depth — una persona superficiale, un'analisi superficiale. It is an invariable-ending adjective. The adverb is superficialmente. As a false-register trap: calling someone superficiale in Italian is a direct, mildly cutting insult — more blunt than in English.

Examples

"La sua analisi è troppo superficiale."

Natural Translation

His analysis is too superficial.

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