litigioso

Litigioso is an adjective used in Spanish and Italian to describe persons or matters associated with litigation or disputes. In Spanish, it can refer to a person who tends to sue or to a matter that is subject to dispute: una persona litigiosa, un asunto litigioso. The related nouns are litigio (a lawsuit) and litigación (the process of litigation). The term derives from Latin litigiosus, from litigare, “to dispute” or quarrel.

In usage, litigioso appears in phrases such as “caso litigioso” or “cuestión litigiosa” to denote disputes that require judicial resolution. In broader language, it often carries a negative or adversarial connotation, suggesting a propensity to engage in lawsuits, though it can be a neutral descriptor in descriptive or legal contexts. The English equivalent is litigious.

In Italian, litigioso has a similar meaning, describing people prone to legal action or situations that invite litigation; related terms include contenzioso and litigo (the latter meaning a lawsuit). Related verbs include litigare (to litigate). Examples include “un individuo litigioso” or “un tema litigioso.”