Sguardi

Sguardi is the plural form of the Italian noun sguardo, which means a look, a glance, or the act of looking. In everyday use, sguardo refers to the way someone looks, including the intensity, direction, and emotional undertone of the gaze. The word can describe a single look or the collective looks of multiple people across moments or situations. It also carries figurative weight, signaling perception, attention, or attitude.

Linguistically, sguardo is derived from the verb guardare (to look) and functions as a substantive for the act or result of looking. In Italian, the term is versatile: it can denote literal vision (a fixed or fleeting glance) and more abstract senses such as a person’s perspective, outlook, or moral stance. The plural sg u ar di is commonly used to refer to various instances of looking or to different individuals’ expressions.

In cultural contexts, sguardo plays a significant role in literature, art, and film theory. It is used to discuss the dynamics of gaze—how a viewer or a character regards others, objects, or scenes—and how that gaze influences interpretation, power relations, and narrative point of view. The concept parallels the English term “gaze,” with specific resonance in Italian criticism and discourse on visual media and representation.

Common collocations include sguardo fisso (a fixed gaze), sguardo curioso (a curious look), and sguardo interiore (an inner or contemplative gaze). The word appears in descriptions of portraits, photographs, and cinematic scenes to convey mood, intention, or emotional state through the act of looking.