Meaning
naive, ingenuous, candid
In a sentence
Sei davvero così ingenuo o stai scherzando?
Are you really that naive, or are you joking?
Da piccolo ero molto ingenuo e mi fidavo.
When I was little, I was very naive and trusting.
Non essere ingenua, controlla sempre il prezzo.
Don't be naive, always check the price.
Word forms (4)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| ingenuo | masculine · singular |
| ingenua | feminine · singular |
| ingenui | masculine · plural |
| ingenue | feminine · plural |
Usage notes
- Use ingenuo for a person, idea, or remark that seems overly trusting; for simple lack of experience, inesperto may fit better.
- It often sounds mildly critical. For a kinder tone, try innocente or sincero depending on context.
- Regular adjective agreement: ingenuo, ingenua, ingenui, ingenue. English speakers often forget the feminine and plural forms.