Oct 09 2024 13 mins 25
In this article, we will dive into the fascinating world of 'gialli' (crime novels), revealing the essential terms and expressions that you need to know if you're passionate about crime, mystery, and intrigue. Ready?
Italian Vocabulary of Crime Novels
MOVENTE (MOTIVE)
The movente (motive) is the reason that pushes someone to commit a crime. Often, in crime novels, you'll hear the phrase: “Manca il movente” (The motive is missing), meaning that after various investigations, it is still unclear why the crime was committed.
ALIBI (ALIBI)
An alibi is proof that, at the time of the crime, the suspect was elsewhere, ruling them out as a possible culprit. How about "alibi di ferro" (ironclad alibi)? It’s an alibi so strong that it’s nearly impossible to disprove.
DELITTO (CRIME)
The delitto (crime) is the criminal act that breaks the law, often a murder. In crime novels, everything revolves around this act. And let's not forget the infamous “delitto perfetto” (perfect crime): the one where the criminal gets away without ever being caught!
THE INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS
IRRUZIONE (RAID)
When one or more people carry out an irruzione (raid), they violently enter a place. It’s a term we often hear in crime novels, especially when the police burst onto the scene with force!
SCENA DEL CRIMINE (CRIME SCENE)
The scena del crimine (crime scene) is the place where the crime took place. It's usually cordoned off with tape to avoid contaminating the investigation.
RILEVARE LE IMPRONTE DIGITALI (FINGERPRINTING)
A pivotal moment: the rilevamento delle impronte digitali (fingerprinting) is the operation conducted by forensic experts to associate the prints with a specific person, revealing the crime’s perpetrator.
CAMPIONE (SAMPLE)
A campione (sample) is a small amount of a substance, used as a reference in investigations. Think about the typical lab tests you see in crime novels, like the DNA ones!
INTERROGATIONS AND THE TRIAL
INTERROGATORIO (INTERROGATION)
During the interrogatorio (interrogation), questions are asked to the suspect to determine their involvement in the case. A tense moment that often leads to unexpected revelations!
INCHIESTA (INVESTIGATION)
The inchiesta (investigation) gathers all the evidence and useful information needed to solve the case, which can be used in court.
PROCESSO (TRIAL)
The processo (trial) is the legal procedure that concludes with the judge’s verdict: colpevole (guilty) or innocente (innocent). This is where the fate of the accused is decided!
THE WORLD OF THE GUILTY
DEPISTAGGIO (MISDIRECTION)
Depistaggio (misdirection) is the attempt, often by the culprit, to mislead investigators by providing false leads or deceptive information. It’s a trick that keeps crime novels full of suspense!
ERGASTOLO (LIFE SENTENCE)
Ergastolo (life sentence) is the maximum punishment a judge can issue, sentencing the accused to imprisonment for life.
If you love crime novels and want to learn more about how the world of crime works, don’t miss our related article on crime vocabulary....
Italian Vocabulary of Crime Novels
MOVENTE (MOTIVE)
The movente (motive) is the reason that pushes someone to commit a crime. Often, in crime novels, you'll hear the phrase: “Manca il movente” (The motive is missing), meaning that after various investigations, it is still unclear why the crime was committed.
ALIBI (ALIBI)
An alibi is proof that, at the time of the crime, the suspect was elsewhere, ruling them out as a possible culprit. How about "alibi di ferro" (ironclad alibi)? It’s an alibi so strong that it’s nearly impossible to disprove.
DELITTO (CRIME)
The delitto (crime) is the criminal act that breaks the law, often a murder. In crime novels, everything revolves around this act. And let's not forget the infamous “delitto perfetto” (perfect crime): the one where the criminal gets away without ever being caught!
THE INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS
IRRUZIONE (RAID)
When one or more people carry out an irruzione (raid), they violently enter a place. It’s a term we often hear in crime novels, especially when the police burst onto the scene with force!
SCENA DEL CRIMINE (CRIME SCENE)
The scena del crimine (crime scene) is the place where the crime took place. It's usually cordoned off with tape to avoid contaminating the investigation.
RILEVARE LE IMPRONTE DIGITALI (FINGERPRINTING)
A pivotal moment: the rilevamento delle impronte digitali (fingerprinting) is the operation conducted by forensic experts to associate the prints with a specific person, revealing the crime’s perpetrator.
CAMPIONE (SAMPLE)
A campione (sample) is a small amount of a substance, used as a reference in investigations. Think about the typical lab tests you see in crime novels, like the DNA ones!
INTERROGATIONS AND THE TRIAL
INTERROGATORIO (INTERROGATION)
During the interrogatorio (interrogation), questions are asked to the suspect to determine their involvement in the case. A tense moment that often leads to unexpected revelations!
INCHIESTA (INVESTIGATION)
The inchiesta (investigation) gathers all the evidence and useful information needed to solve the case, which can be used in court.
PROCESSO (TRIAL)
The processo (trial) is the legal procedure that concludes with the judge’s verdict: colpevole (guilty) or innocente (innocent). This is where the fate of the accused is decided!
THE WORLD OF THE GUILTY
DEPISTAGGIO (MISDIRECTION)
Depistaggio (misdirection) is the attempt, often by the culprit, to mislead investigators by providing false leads or deceptive information. It’s a trick that keeps crime novels full of suspense!
ERGASTOLO (LIFE SENTENCE)
Ergastolo (life sentence) is the maximum punishment a judge can issue, sentencing the accused to imprisonment for life.
If you love crime novels and want to learn more about how the world of crime works, don’t miss our related article on crime vocabulary....
