Meaning
blow, knock, shock
- punch, hit, pound
- shot (of a gun)
- stroke, fit
In a sentence
Ho sentito un colpo forte alla porta.
I heard a loud knock at the door.
Hai preso un colpo giocando a calcio ieri?
Did you get hit while playing soccer yesterday?
Per fortuna, il colpo di pistola non l'ha preso.
Luckily, the gunshot didn't hit him.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| colpo | masculine · singular |
| colpi | masculine · plural |
Usage notes
- Use 'colpo' for sudden, forceful impacts (e.g., a punch or gunshot). For softer hits, prefer 'botta'.
- In medical contexts, 'colpo' means 'stroke' (e.g., 'colpo apoplettico'). Avoid using 'attacco' here.
- Common in informal speech for unexpected events (e.g., 'Che colpo!' = 'What a shock!').