bugia

Bugia is an Italian noun meaning a lie or falsehood. It refers to a statement that is not true and is often used for a small fabrication, though the exact weight of the deception depends on context. In everyday language bugia is less formal than menzogna or falsità and can carry a slightly lighter or more playful tone. The plural form is bugie.

Common expressions include dire una bugia (to tell a lie) and raccontare una bugia (to recount a lie). An exclamation like Che bugia! expresses disbelief or surprise at a claim. Bugia is widely understood across Italian dialects, though regional vocabulary may vary and some speakers prefer stronger terms for serious deception.

Etymology of bugia is uncertain. The word is attested in Italian texts from the medieval period, but its precise origins remain a matter of scholarly debate. Today, bugia remains a common, everyday term in modern Italian.

See also: Menzogna; Falsehood; Deception; Italian language.