Meaning
not even
In a sentence
Non mi ha manco risposto al messaggio.
He didn't even reply to my message.
Non ho manco dieci euro nel portafoglio.
I don't even have ten euros in my wallet.
Non è venuto e non ha manco avvisato.
He didn't come and didn't even let us know.
Usage notes
- Very informal, especially in speech; avoid it in formal writing. Standard Italian usually prefers neanche or nemmeno.
- Often strengthens a negative idea: Non mi ha manco risposto. In many contexts, neanche sounds more neutral.
- Common in central and southern Italy; some speakers use it constantly, but elsewhere it can sound regional or slangy.