ignorato

Ignorato is an Italian term that functions as both the past participle of the verb ignorare (to ignore) and as an adjective meaning "ignored" or "overlooked." As a participle, it is used to form compound tenses with avere (ho ignorato, hai ignorato, ha ignorato, abbiamo ignorato, avete ignorato, hanno ignorato) and, in passive constructions, with essere (è stato ignorato, è stata ignorata, sono stati ignorati, sono state ignorate). As an adjective, it describes a noun that has been ignored or overlooked, for example, un fatto ignorato or una segnalazione ignorata.

Etymology and sense: ignorato derives from ignorare, which in turn comes from Latin ignorare, meaning not to know or to be ignorant, itself from ignarus, not knowing. The past participle retains the semantic link to the act of disregarding or not acknowledging something.

Usage and nuance: In Italian, ignorato commonly conveys that an action of ignoring occurred, or that a subject has been neglected or dismissed. It appears in everyday speech, journalism, and formal writing to describe overlooked communications, neglected issues, or unacknowledged contributions. The feminine and plural forms follow standard agreement rules: ignorato (masc. sing.), ignorata (fem. sing.), ignorati (masc. pl.), ignorate (fem. pl.).

Relation to related terms: The word is closely connected to Ignoranza (ignorance) and to the verb ignorare. The adjective can pair with a wide range of nouns to stress neglect or lack of consideration.

See also: Ignoranza, Ignorare, Ignorante, Italian grammar on past participles.