incontrino

Incontro is a noun in Italian, and incontrino is its diminutive form. The word denotes a brief, informal note or message left for someone, typically when the recipient is away or unreachable. In everyday usage, an incontrino describes a short reminder or instruction written on a small piece of paper, a card, or a sticky note, left for another person. Because it is colloquial, incontrino is often interchangeable with more neutral terms such as nota, promemoria, or bigliettino, which may be preferred in formal writing or official contexts.

Etymology and sense: the term combines incontr- (root of incontro, meaning meeting) with the diminutive suffix -ino, signaling brevity and informality. The primary sense today is a concise written message rather than a longer communication. The root sense of meeting or encounter can be inferred from the same root, but in standard usage the note meaning is far more common.

Usage and register: incontrino is predominantly encountered in spoken Italian and informal writing. It may carry a light, casual tone and is compatible with everyday domestic or workplace contexts. In more formal settings, speakers typically use nota or promemoria rather than incontrino.

See also: bigliettino, promemoria, nota, appunto.