ragionato

Ragionato is an Italian adjective used to describe something that is reasoned, well argued, or carefully justified. It characterizes explanations, analyses, proposals, or treatises that are based on explicit reasoning, evidence, and a systematic line of thought rather than on intuition or emotion. The word derives from ragionare (to reason) and shares a root with ragione and rational.

Etymology and sense

Ragionato comes from the action of reasoning and implies a deliberate, structured approach to a subject. In dictionaries and formal Italian, it is used to indicate that a statement or work has been thoroughly argued, with premises, deductions, and orderly presentation.

Usage

Typical collocations include analisi ragionata, spiegazione ragionata, trattato ragionato, and documento ragionato. The term is common in academic, legal, and administrative contexts, where a justification or method is presented with clear reasoning and supporting evidence. It can also describe a methodological stance, such as a project presented with a reasoned plan and rationale.

Nuance

Ragionato emphasizes justification and coherence. It contrasts with more intuitive or empirical approaches by signaling that the conclusions follow from stated premises. The nuance is of credibility and rigor rather than mere description.

See also

Related terms include ragionare (to reason), ragionamento (reasoning), and trattato ragionato (a thoroughly argued treatise).