colpevoli

Colpevole is an Italian adjective meaning "guilty" or "culpable," used to indicate that someone bears fault for a wrongdoing. It can describe individuals or groups, and in legal contexts it can function as a noun as well, meaning "the guilty party." The masculine singular form is colpevole, the feminine singular is also colpevole, and the plural form is colpevoli for both genders, as in “i colpevoli.” The expression colpevole di introduces the specific offense, for example, “colpevole di furto.”

Etymology and form: Colpevole derives from colpa, meaning fault or blame, with a suffix that forms an adjective. Its root is related to the Latin culpa; the word has evolved to describe guilt or responsibility in various contexts.

Usage and nuance: Colpevole emphasizes culpability or fault, often in contrast with innocente (innocent). In legal language, it may appear in phrases like a dichiarato colpevole or considerato colpevole, though different jurisdictions sometimes prefer terms such as reo for the person found guilty. In everyday speech, colpevole can express blame beyond criminal contexts, including moral or practical fault, as in “essere colpevole di negligenza” or “prendersi la colpa” (to take the blame).

Translations and related terms: Colpevole corresponds to the English guilty or culpable. Related words include colpa (fault/blame), reo (guilty party in legal contexts), and responsabile (responsible, which may not imply guilt). Colpevoli as a plural noun can refer to all those deemed morally or legally responsible.