stento

Stento is an Italian noun meaning difficulty, hardship, or scarcity, especially in the sense of living in precarious conditions or achieving something only with great effort. It is commonly used in phrases such as “vivere in stento” (to live in hardship) or “arrivare al traguardo con stento” (to reach the goal with difficulty). The adverbial phrase “con stento” likewise indicates that something is done with considerable effort or difficulty. The related verb stentare denotes struggling to do something or being slow or reluctant to achieve an outcome; common expressions include “stentare a credere” (to have trouble believing) and “stentare a trovare lavoro.”

Etymology: The exact origin of stento is not definitively established. It is an old Italian term with unclear connections to Latin, and it appears in both literary and colloquial usage from medieval times onward.

Usage and nuance: Stento often conveys a sense of personal or social precariousness and endurance rather than abundance. It can refer to material deprivation as well as to difficulties in completing tasks or obtaining necessities.

Relation to other terms: It is not related to the English word “stent” (a medical device). In Italian, stento carries no medical sense and is confined to the realm of difficulty, hardship, and scarcity.

See also: difficoltà, miseria, privazione, vivere in stento, non stento a credere.