Blasphemy is the gravest category. Shouting it in public can technically earn you a fine.

The 10 most-used swear words in Italy, ranked from nuclear to Grandma-safe. Tap “Hear it” to hear each one, or tap a red bar to reveal a word.

1. 1
   porco Dio POR-ko DEE-oPig God. Deeply offensive blasphemy.
   Nuclear ▶ Hear it
2. 2
   figlio di puttana FEE-lyo dee poot-TAH-naSon of a whore.
   Nuclear ▶ Hear it
3. 3
   vaffanculo vaf-fan-KOO-loGo f*** yourself.
   Very rude ▶ Hear it
4. 4
   cazzo KAHT-tsoDick; “f***!”
   Rude ▶ Hear it
5. 5
   stronzo STRON-tsoAsshole (literally a turd).
   Rude ▶ Hear it
7. 6
   coglione ko-LYO-nehIdiot (literally a testicle).
   Rude ▶ Hear it
8. 7
   minchia MEEN-kyaSicilian: dick, or “wow!”
   Rude ▶ Hear it
9. 8
   merda MEHR-daShit.
   Mild ▶ Hear it
10. 9
    porca miseria POR-ka mee-ZEH-ryaDamn it! (pig misery)
    Grandma-safe ▶ Hear it
11. 10
    che palle keh PAL-lehWhat balls! (how annoying)
    Grandma-safe ▶ Hear it