Infortunati

Infortunati is an Italian term that can function as a plural noun or an adjective, referring to people who have sustained injuries or, more broadly, to those who are unlucky. The singular forms are infortunato (masculine) and infortunata (feminine); the plural is infortunati (masculine or mixed) and infortunates (feminine).

Etymology and sense

The word derives from in- (not, opposite of) andfortunato (fortunate), rooted in Latin fortunatus. Historically, infortunato meant “unlucky” or “ill-fated.” In modern Italian, the term is primarily used to designate persons who have been injured, especially in formal or institutional contexts, while everyday language more commonly uses ferito or lesionato for the injured.

Usage

In medical, administrative, and legal language, infortunati may appear in casualty lists, hospital records, or insurance and workers’ compensation contexts. The phrase infortunati sul lavoro is standard for workers who have suffered an injury on the job, and discussions of workplace safety often refer to the treatment and indemnification of such infortunati. In sports reporting, injuries are usually described with feriti or infortunati when a formal tone is maintained.

Distinctions

- Infortunato / infortunata: the person who has sustained an injury or suffered misfortune.

- Infortunio: the injury or accident itself.

- Infortunati (plural): the injured individuals or, in broader sense, those who are unlucky, depending on context.

See also

Infortunio, ferito, lesione, infortunio sul lavoro, sicurezza sul lavoro.

Notes

The term remains more common in formal or institutional Italian; in everyday speech, more common synonyms such as ferito are often preferred.