sporchi

Sporchi is the plural masculine form of the Italian adjective sporco, meaning dirty. It describes dirtiness in objects, substances, or people and is used to modify nouns, for example vestiti sporchi (dirty clothes) or mani sporche (dirty hands). As a noun in some contexts, sporchi can appear in phrases meaning “the dirty ones,” though this usage is less common and relies on clear contextual interpretation.

Etymology and form: The adjective sporco derives from Italian roots related to dirt and impurity and has cognates in other Romance languages. The ending -i marks masculine plural; feminine forms are sporca (singular) and sporche (plural). This pattern allows sporchi to agree with masculine plural nouns in standard Italian syntax.

Usage and nuance: In everyday language, sporchi describes physical dirt, but it can also carry metaphorical senses, such as moral or ethical impurity in certain expressions. The tone of usage can range from neutral observation to strong negative evaluation, depending on context, intensity, and accompanying words.

Notable uses and names: Sporchi is also found as a surname in Italian-speaking regions. As a family name, it does not convey a meaning beyond its genealogical origin, but it may appear in historical records or contemporary contexts as a last name.

See also: dirt, cleanliness, Italian grammar and morphology, surnames of Italian origin.