sveglio

Sveglio is an Italian adjective meaning awake or alert. It describes a person who is not sleeping or who is perceptive and quick to respond. Used literally, as in “Sono sveglio alle sette” (I am awake at seven), it conveys wakefulness. It can also be used figuratively to denote mental alertness or shrewdness, as in “una persona molto sveglia” (a very alert person). The feminine form is sveglia and is used with feminine nouns.

The verb related to sveglio is svegliare, meaning to wake up. From this family of words, the noun sveglia exists as well, most commonly meaning alarm clock. Because of this homograph, context is important: sveglia can be the feminine form of the adjective or the noun for the alarm device.

Usage notes: Sveglio is common in both formal and casual Italian. It contrasts with sonnolento (sleepy) and with terms like vigile or lucido when referring to clear mental awareness. Besides its literal sense, sveglio can carry figurative nuances, such as describing someone as quick to notice details or quick-witted.

See also: sveglia, svegliare, vigile, lucido.