Meaning
behaviour/behavior
- composure
In a sentence
Il suo contegno calmo mi ha rassicurato subito.
His calm composure reassured me right away.
Perché hai un contegno così freddo oggi?
Why are you behaving so coldly today?
A scuola, tieni un contegno più serio.
At school, keep a more serious demeanor.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| contegno | masculine · singular |
| contegni | masculine · plural |
Usage notes
- More formal than comportamento. Common in writing, school, or moral judgments; less natural in casual conversation.
- Often appears in fixed phrases like mantenere il contegno or perdere il contegno, especially about self-control in public.
- Use il contegno for a person's outward bearing or restraint, not for a single specific action; comportamento is broader.