If you searched for Pericolo Meaning, the simple answer is “danger,” “risk,” or “hazard” in English. Pericolo is an Italian masculine noun used when talking about a situation, person, thing, or possibility that could cause harm or create a serious risk.
You may see pericolo on warning signs, in everyday Italian conversations, in news reports, or in phrases such as in pericolo (“in danger”) and fuori pericolo (“out of danger”). It can also be used figuratively, including humorous expressions where the idea of danger is exaggerated.
What Does Pericolo Mean in English?
The most common Pericolo Meaning is danger. Depending on the sentence, however, English translations can include risk, hazard, peril, threat, or menace.
For example:
- Sono in pericolo.
“I am in danger.” - C’è un pericolo.
“There is a danger.” - È fuori pericolo.
“He/She is out of danger.” - Questo è un rischio.
“This is a risk.”
Cambridge lists danger, hazard, and risk as translations, while Collins gives danger as the primary translation and also documents expressions involving being in danger, putting someone in danger, and being out of danger.
So, the best English translation depends on the context rather than one fixed English word.
Pericolo Meaning and Definition
In Italian, pericolo refers to a circumstance or collection of circumstances from which serious harm may result. Treccani defines it as a situation in which there is concern that significant harm could occur.
That gives the word a broader meaning than simply saying “something dangerous.” It can describe:
- A dangerous situation
- A possible harmful event
- A person or thing that creates danger
- A risk of something happening
- A threat to someone’s safety
- A figurative or exaggerated possibility
For example, a slippery mountain path can be un pericolo because it may cause injury. A reckless driver can also be described as un pericolo because the person creates a risk for others.
Is Pericolo a Slang Word?
No. Pericolo Meaning does not refer to a standard Italian slang expression. It is an ordinary Italian vocabulary word and can be used in formal, neutral, and everyday contexts.
You might encounter it in:
- Warning signs
- News reports
- Safety instructions
- Conversations
- Books and literature
- Official notices
- Social media posts
- Casual jokes
The tone depends on how the word is used. A warning such as Pericolo! is serious, while someone jokingly calling a friend un pericolo pubblico can be humorous. Treccani and Cambridge both document this figurative use.
How Is Pericolo Used in Italian?
A useful way to understand Pericolo Meaning is to look at the common constructions surrounding the word.
In Pericolo: In Danger
In pericolo is one of the most common expressions.
Example:
Il bambino è in pericolo.
“The child is in danger.”
It describes someone or something currently exposed to danger.
Fuori Pericolo: Out of Danger
Fuori pericolo means out of danger.
It can be especially useful when discussing someone’s safety or condition after a dangerous event.
Example:
Ora è fuori pericolo.
“Now he is out of danger.”
Both Cambridge and Collins list this expression as an established Italian-English phrase.
Mettere in Pericolo: Put in Danger
Mettere in pericolo means to put in danger or to endanger.
Example:
Non mettere in pericolo gli altri.
“Don’t put others in danger.”
This expression is useful when someone’s actions create a risk for another person.
A Proprio Rischio e Pericolo: At One’s Own Risk
The phrase a proprio rischio e pericolo means something close to “at one’s own risk” or “at one’s own risk and responsibility.”
It emphasizes that a person accepts responsibility for the possible consequences of an action.
Pericolo Meaning in Different Contexts
The exact Pericolo Meaning can shift slightly depending on what is being discussed.
Physical Danger
This is the most direct use.
Il sentiero è pieno di pericoli.
“The trail is full of dangers.”
Here, pericoli is the plural of pericolo.
Risk of an Event
The word can also describe the possibility that something unwanted may happen.
C’è pericolo di incendio.
“There is a risk of fire.”
In this type of construction, English speakers will often choose risk rather than danger, even though the Italian word remains pericolo.
A Dangerous Person or Thing
Italian can use pericolo for something or someone that represents a threat.
Quell’uomo è un pericolo per la società.
“That man is a danger to society.”
Treccani specifically notes the concrete sense in which a thing, event, phenomenon, or person can constitute a danger.
Figurative or Humorous Use
The word isn’t always completely serious. Italian speakers can use pericolo figuratively or humorously.
For example, calling someone un pericolo pubblico can literally suggest “a public danger,” but in an informal or humorous situation it can describe someone whose behavior causes chaos or trouble.
Cambridge gives public menace as a possible translation for this figurative use.
Pericolo Meaning in Texting and Social Media
If you encountered Pericolo Meaning while reading a message, caption, comment, or social media post, don’t automatically treat it as an abbreviation.
Unlike common internet expressions such as “LOL” or “BRB,” pericolo is simply an Italian word. Its basic meaning remains connected to danger, risk, or a threatening situation.
For example, an Italian-speaking user might write:
Pericolo! Non andare lì.
This means:
“Danger! Don’t go there.”
On social media, the word can also appear in a playful caption or joke, but the underlying Italian meaning does not suddenly become a special texting acronym.
Pericolo Meaning in Warning Signs
One particularly easy place to encounter the word is on warning signs.
Pericolo! means “Danger!”
A warning might be followed by information explaining what the danger is. Italian safety language can therefore use pericolo in practical situations involving roads, electricity, weather, workplaces, or other hazards.
Treccani also identifies segnale di pericolo as a warning signal indicating the existence of a dangerous situation.
Examples of Pericolo in Italian Sentences
These examples make the Pericolo Meaning easier to recognize in context.
Example 1: Safety
Italian: Attenzione, c’è un pericolo.
English: “Attention, there is a danger.”
Example 2: Personal Safety
Italian: Si trova in pericolo.
English: “He/She is in danger.”
Example 3: Road Safety
Italian: Questa strada può essere un pericolo di notte.
English: “This road can be dangerous at night.”
Example 4: Warning Someone
Italian: Non correre, potresti metterti in pericolo.
English: “Don’t run; you could put yourself in danger.”
Example 5: After a Dangerous Situation
Italian: Per fortuna siamo fuori pericolo.
English: “Luckily, we’re out of danger.”
Example 6: Figurative Use
Italian: Quel ragazzo è un vero pericolo quando cucina!
English: “That guy is a real hazard when he cooks!”
The final example can be humorous rather than a serious safety statement.
How Do You Pronounce Pericolo?
The Italian pronunciation is approximately peh-REE-koh-loh, with the stress on the middle syllable.
Cambridge gives the pronunciation as /pe’rikolo/.
A simple approximation for English speakers is:
peh-REE-koh-loh
Italian pronunciation is more precise than this approximation, so listening to a native speaker is the best way to reproduce the sounds accurately.
Is Pericolo Singular or Plural?
Pericolo is a masculine singular noun in Italian.
The plural form is:
pericoli
For example:
un pericolo
a danger
i pericoli
the dangers
This distinction matters because you may see pericoli in Italian texts and wonder whether it represents a different word. It is simply the plural form of pericolo.
What Is the Origin of Pericolo?
The history behind Pericolo Meaning goes back to Latin. Treccani traces the Italian noun pericolo to the Latin periculum, associated with meanings including “trial,” “legal process,” and “risk.”
This historical connection also helps explain why related words in Romance languages can look similar. For example, Italian pericolo, Spanish peligro, and Portuguese perigo all express the idea of danger or risk.
The English word peril is also historically related to the same Latin source, although English peril and Italian pericolo are not interchangeable in every sentence.
Pericolo vs. Pericoloso
One common point of confusion is the difference between pericolo and pericoloso.
Pericolo is a noun meaning danger, risk, or hazard.
Pericoloso is an adjective meaning dangerous.
For example:
Questo è un pericolo.
“This is a danger.”
Questo è pericoloso.
“This is dangerous.”
Treccani defines pericoloso as something that has the possibility of creating or constituting a danger or causing harm.
A simple way to remember the difference is:
- pericolo = danger
- pericoloso = dangerous
Pericolo vs. Rischio
Another useful distinction is between pericolo and rischio.
Both can sometimes translate as risk in English, but they aren’t always identical.
Pericolo focuses on the danger or harmful threat itself.
Rischio often focuses more on the possibility or probability of an unwanted outcome.
For example:
Il fuoco è un pericolo.
“Fire is a danger.”
C’è il rischio di incendio.
“There is a risk of fire.”
The exact translation depends on the sentence, which is why dictionary entries provide several English equivalents for pericolo.
Is Pericolo Formal or Informal?
The word itself is neutral. It isn’t restricted to either formal or casual speech.
You can use or encounter pericolo in:
- Everyday conversation
- Formal writing
- News articles
- Safety instructions
- Literature
- Government or workplace notices
- Online conversations
What changes is the surrounding expression. A serious safety warning and a joke about a friend can both contain the same noun while communicating very different tones.
Does Pericolo Have Another Meaning?
Yes, but these aren’t completely unrelated meanings. The central idea remains connected to danger or possibility.
In familiar or figurative Italian, pericolo can sometimes express a possibility or chance, particularly in exaggerated expressions.
For example, Treccani records non c’è pericolo as a reassuring expression and also documents constructions where pericolo refers to the possibility of something happening.
So if you see pericolo in a sentence that doesn’t seem to describe physical danger, check the surrounding words before assuming it has been used incorrectly.
Common Phrases With Pericolo
Knowing a few common phrases makes the word much easier to recognize.
| Italian phrase | Natural English meaning |
|---|---|
| in pericolo | in danger |
| fuori pericolo | out of danger |
| mettere in pericolo | put in danger / endanger |
| pericolo di morte | danger of death / risk of death |
| in caso di pericolo | in case of danger |
| a proprio rischio e pericolo | at one’s own risk |
| Pericolo! | Danger! |
| segnale di pericolo | danger warning / warning signal |
These are established expressions rather than invented translations.
Common Misunderstandings About Pericolo
A few mistakes can make the Pericolo Meaning seem more complicated than it actually is.
First, pericolo is not normally an acronym. If someone sends it in an Italian message, the default interpretation is the ordinary Italian noun.
Second, it doesn’t always have to describe immediate physical danger. It can refer to a risk, threat, possibility, or figurative situation.
Third, the English translation isn’t always literally “danger.” Depending on the sentence, risk, hazard, peril, or menace may sound more natural.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Pericolo mean in English?
The primary Pericolo Meaning is “danger.” Depending on context, it can also mean “risk,” “hazard,” “peril,” or “menace.”
Is pericolo an Italian word?
Yes. Pericolo is an Italian masculine noun. Its main meaning concerns danger, risk, or a situation that could result in harm.
Is pericolo slang?
No. Pericolo Meaning is based on a standard Italian word, not a slang abbreviation. It can appear in both formal and informal contexts.
What does “in pericolo” mean?
In pericolo means “in danger.” It describes someone or something exposed to a dangerous situation.
What does “fuori pericolo” mean?
Fuori pericolo means “out of danger.” It is commonly used when a dangerous situation has passed or someone is no longer considered at serious risk.
What does “Pericolo!” mean?
Pericolo! simply means “Danger!” It can be used as a warning or appear on safety signage.
What is the plural of pericolo?
The plural is pericoli, meaning “dangers” or, depending on context, “hazards.”
What is the difference between pericolo and pericoloso?
Pericolo is a noun meaning danger, while pericoloso is an adjective meaning dangerous.
Is pericolo used in texting?
It can appear in Italian text messages, but Pericolo Meaning doesn’t change into a special texting definition. It generally keeps its normal meaning of danger, risk, or hazard.
Conclusion
The clearest Pericolo Meaning in English is “danger,” with “risk” and “hazard” also being appropriate translations in certain contexts. It is a standard Italian noun rather than internet slang or a texting abbreviation.
Once you recognize expressions such as in pericolo, fuori pericolo, and mettere in pericolo, the word becomes much easier to understand in Italian conversations, signs, articles, and messages. The exact English translation should always be chosen according to the surrounding sentence.
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I’m Bilal SEO Expert, the creator of RuleScoope, where I publish grammar guides and explain confusing words to help readers communicate clearly and confidently in English.
