Italian Italian

Vocab Builder for commonly used words in Italian.

maiale
pig

The Italian word for 'pig' is 'maiale'. It is used in the same context as English, referring to the domestic animal known for its pink color and round body. It's also commonly used in discussing various food products made from the animal.

mangiare
to eat

The Italian verb 'mangiare' shares a similar function to the English verb 'to eat', and it can be used in the same types of sentences and contexts. As in English, it refers to the act of consuming food. The conjugation of 'mangiare' varies based on tense and the subject of the sentence.

matita
pencil

The Italian word for 'pencil' is 'matita'. As in English, 'matita' in Italian can refer to both a writing tool or the concept of a pencil in different contexts such as art or school. You can use it in sentences like 'Mi passi la matita, per favore?' (Could you pass me the pencil, please?). It's a feminine noun, therefore you should use 'la' before it.

mela
apple

The word 'mela' in Italian is used in the same way as the English word 'apple'. It refers to the sweet, round fruit that comes from an apple tree. Examples of usage could be: 'Mangio una mela' (I eat an apple), 'Questa mela è deliziosa' (This apple is delicious).

melodia
melody

The word 'melodia' in Italian, like in English, is used to refer to a sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying. It is, for example, the principal part of a song or piece of music. It is used in the same context as melody in English!

melone
melon

The word 'melone' in Italian is used to refer to the same fruit as 'melon' in English. It is a singular noun and can be used in various contexts such as grocery shopping or describing what one is eating or plans to eat. Just like in English, 'un melone' means 'a melon' and 'i meloni' is the plural form meaning 'melons'.

migliore amico
Best friend

The term 'migliore amico' is used in Italian to refer to a person's closest friend. This term indicates a level of closeness and understanding that surpasses that of ordinary friendship. 'Migliore amico' is utilized in a similar manner as 'best friend' in English.

migliori amici
best friends

The word 'migliori amici' is used in Italian to refer to closest friends. It can be used in the same contexts as in English, both to refer to very close friends and, sometimes, affectionately to a single very close friend.

modifica
edit

The term 'modifica' is commonly used in Italian language to express the action of making changes to texts, images, or other form of data. It can be used in a variety of contexts, where you may need to refine or correct something. When you ‘modifica’ something, you edit it to either improve it or adapt it to a certain need or requirement.

mora
blackberry

The word 'mora' translates to 'blackberry' in English. In Italian, 'mora' is used much like how 'blackberry' is used in English - to refer to the berry itself. It can also be used to refer to the blackberry plant.

mucca
cow

The Italian word for cow is 'mucca'. It is a feminine noun and is used in the same context as in English. For example, 'La mucca è nel campo.' translates to 'The cow is in the field.'

musica
music

The Italian word 'musica' is used exactly like 'music' in English. It can refer to a general category of artistic, sometimes audible, compositions, and is used in a wide variety of contexts, from talking about preferences (e.g. 'Mi piace la musica rock' - I like rock music) to events (e.g. 'Ci sarà musica dal vivo stasera?' - Will there be live music tonight?)

noodles
noodles
nota
note

In Italian, 'nota' is used in the same way as 'note' in English. It can refer to a short piece of writing that is written down to help remember something. Also, just like in English, in the world of music, 'nota' is used to refer to a sign used in music to show the length and pitch of a tone.

nuotare
to swim

The term 'nuotare' in Italian is used in the same way as 'to swim' in English. You will use it when you talk about the action of moving through water by moving your body. It is also used in different tenses depending on the context.

nuoto
swimming

In Italian, 'nuoto' refers to the action or activity of swimming which is similar to its English counterpart. It is commonly used to refer to swimming as a sport or physical activity. For example, 'Vado a fare nuoto' means 'I go swimming.'

orchestra
orchestra

The word 'orchestra' in Italian is used much the same as in English. It refers to a large group of instrumentalists, particularly string players, but also possibly including woodwind, brass, and percussion players, led by a conductor.

orologio
watch

The word 'orologio' is used to refer to a timepiece that is typically worn on the wrist or carried in a pocket, just like 'watch' in English. The term 'orologio' can be used in various situations; for instance, 'Posso guardare il tuo orologio?' translates to 'Can I see your watch?' in English.

orso
bear

The Italian word 'orso' is used to refer to the large mammal known as a bear. You can use 'orso' in the same context as 'bear' in English. For instance, 'orso bruno' translates to 'brown bear'.

padrino
godfather

The term 'padrino' is used in Italian to describe a man who is chosen by the parents to be a spiritual guide and role model for a child. This role is often designated at religious events such as baptisms. 'Padrino' can also be used in a more secular context, referring to someone who uses their influence to help another person, resembling the role of a mentor.

pallacanestro
basketball

The term 'pallacanestro' refers to the sport of basketball in Italian. It is used in the same way it would be in English. For instance, 'Mi piace giocare a pallacanestro' means 'I like to play basketball'.

pane
bread

The Italian word for bread is 'pane'. It is a common food item in Italy and forms an integral part of Italian cuisine, much like bread does in English-speaking countries. 'Pane' is a masculine noun in Italian, and it is regularly used in contexts such as ordering food or grocery shopping.

pantaloni
pants

The word 'pantaloni' in Italian is used to refer to trousers or pants. It's used in the same way as in English. For instance, 'I pantaloni sono blu' means 'The pants are blue'.

pari
peer

The word 'pari' in Italian is used to refer to someone who is an equal in dignity, rank, or intellect much like 'peer' in English. However, it may not always apply to all instances where 'peer' is used in English, especially in colloquial phrases.

parlare
to talk

The Italian verb 'parlare' translates to 'to talk' in English. It is a regular first conjugation verb, so it follows the typical conjugation pattern. It can be used directly in the same way as in English to refer to speaking or talking. For example, 'Io parlo italiano' means 'I speak Italian'.

partner
partner

The Italian word for 'partner' is also 'partner'. It is used in business and personal contexts to refer someone to whom one is closely associated with. For example, in a business context, a partner is a person who shares or is associated with another in some action or endeavor. In a personal context, this could be used to refer a life partner.

passaporto
passport

The Italian word for 'passport' is 'passaporto'. As in English, it is used to refer to the official document issued by a government, certifying the holder's identity and citizenship and entitling them to travel under its protection to and from foreign countries.

pasta
pasta

The word 'pasta' in Italian is used in same concept as the English language, meaning a dish originally from Italy, actually the word is borrowed from Italian to English. It is used to refer to a variety of pasta dishes which are basically meals made from dough that has been formed into various shapes, then boiled.

pecora
sheep

The Italian word for sheep is 'pecora'. It is used in the same way as in English, it can refer to the animal itself or its wool. The plural form of 'pecora' is 'pecore'.

pensare
to think

The Italian verb 'pensare' translates to 'to think' in English and it is often used in contexts such as thinking about something or somebody, planning or intending to do something. It can be conjugated into different tenses and forms, based on the subject and context of the sentence.

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