Our list of the 1000 most common Italian words comes from a statistical analysis that we did on a large collection of Italian language documents.
But we’ve noticed that some lists available online are just translations of the 1000 most common English words into Italian.
That translation approach has several flaws, the first being that different languages don’t use equivalent words with the same frequency.
For example, the word for “snow” is more common in Scandinavian languages than in languages spoken in the Mediterranean region. The frequency of that word in each language reflects the local climate.
Another issue with that approach is that some English words correspond to two distinct Italian words.
For example, the English adjective “free” corresponds to two distinct words in Italian: “libero” and “gratuito” (the latter means “free” as in “no cost”). When a list of common Italian words is constructed by translating common English words, one ends up with only one of those two terms.
Our list of the thousand most common Italian words comes from a statistical analysis that we performed on a large collection of Italian language documents.
This method requires a lot more effort but the result is worth it because the list produced this way more accurately reflects the frequency with which the different Italian vocabulary words are used.
Note that this vocabulary list groups the different forms of a word in a single entry. For example, the words “amico” (male friend) and “amica” (female friend) are represented as a single entry.
-
il
[article]
(the)
The Italian definite articles agree in gender and number with the noun they define. This Italian article is used with nouns that are masculine and singular. If the noun starts with a vowel, “il” becomes the letter ‘l’ followed by an apostrophe: «l’».
-
essere
[verb]
(to be)
This common Italian word is often used as an “auxiliary” verb. With this function, it is connected with the main verb, and together they create different verb tenses.
-
di
[preposition]
(of)
-
uno
[article]
(a)
-
e
[conjunction]
(and)
It is grammatically correct to add the suffix “d” to this Italian conjunction when the word that follows starts with the letter “e”. See here to learn more about Italian conjunctions.
-
in
[preposition]
(in)
-
a
[preposition]
(a, at, in, to, by, on)
-
avere
[verb]
(to have)
-
per
[preposition]
(for)
-
non
[adverb]
(not)
-
si
[pronoun]
(itself, herself, himself)
-
ma
[conjunction]
(but)
-
da
[preposition]
(from)
-
con
[preposition]
(with)
-
lo
[pronoun]
(him, it)
-
anche
[adverb]
(also)
-
questo
[determiner]
(this)
-
tutto
[pronoun]
(everything)
-
fare
[verb]
(to do)
-
che
[pronoun]
(that, who, which)
-
ci
[pronoun]
(us, it)
-
come
[preposition]
(as, like)
-
più
[adverb]
(more)
-
due
[numeral]
(two)
-
ora
[adverb]
(now)
-
solo
[adverb]
(only, alone)
The Italian word “solo” can have two meanings: “alone” and “only”. In the first case, it is usually placed at the end of the sentence; in the second case, it is found between the verb and the object.
-
ancora
[adverb]
(still)
This Italian word means “still”. However, when pronounced with more emphasis on the “o” it means “anchor”. See here for more on Italian pronunciation and homographs.
-
suo
[determiner]
(his)
-
poi
[adverb]
(then)
-
cosa
[pronoun]
(what)
-
molto
[adverb]
(very much)
A synonym of this Italian word is “tanto”. They are used interchangeably, but “tanto” is preferred when referring to numerical quantities.
-
nuovo
[adjective]
(new)
-
altro
[adjective]
(another)
-
su
[preposition]
(on)
-
potere
[verb]
(can, be able to)
The Italian word “potere” is both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it means “to be able to”; and as a noun, it means “power”. Although they have different meanings, their connotations are very similar.
-
primo
[adjective]
(first)
-
oggi
[adverb]
(today)
-
così
[adverb]
(so, like this)
-
andare
[verb]
(to go)
-
dovere
[verb]
(to have to, must)
-
mi
[pronoun]
(me)
-
anno
[noun]
(year)
-
venire
[verb]
(to come)
-
grande
[adjective]
(big)
-
tempo
[noun]
(time)
-
dire
[verb]
(to say)
-
arrivare
[verb]
(to arrive)
-
senza
[preposition]
(without)
-
nessuno
[determiner]
(nobody, anybody)
-
lavoro
[noun]
(work)
-
tra
[preposition]
(between)
The Italian prepositions “tra” and “fra” have the same meaning. The choice between the two depends on the word that follows. If the following word starts with “tr-” one would use the preposition “fra”, and if the following word starts with “fr-” one would use the preposition “tra”.
-
o
[conjunction]
(or)
-
sempre
[adverb]
(always)
-
giorno
[noun]
(day)
-
problema
[noun]
(problem)
-
volere
[verb]
(to want)
This Italian irregular verb belongs to the group of verbs ending in -ere. It is one of the most common Italian verbs, and it is also used in a very common Italian proverb: “volere è potere”, which means “where there is a will, there is a way”.
-
poco
[adverb]
(little)
-
dopo
[preposition]
(after)
-
italiano
[adjective]
(Italian)
Italian and English differ in the usage of capitalization for nationality adjectives. In English, nationality adjectives are always capitalized, but in Italian, they are not.
-
perché
[conjunction]
(why)
In English, there are two different words, “why” and “because”, depending on the type of sentence. However, in Italian, the same conjunction (perché) is used for both affirmative and question sentences.
-
bene
[adverb]
(well)
-
stare
[verb]
(to stay)
-
contro
[preposition]
(against)
-
già
[adverb]
(already)
Besides meaning “already”, this Italian word can also mean “indeed” or “yeah”. When used in that way, the word “già” serves to intensify what is being said.
-
invece
[adverb]
(instead)
-
qui
[adverb]
(here)
-
Roma
[proper noun]
(Rome)
-
quindi
[adverb]
(so)
-
parlare
[verb]
(to speak)
The Italian verb “parlare” resembles the French verb “parler”. For more similar words between these languages, see this comparison of Italian vs French.
-
ne
[pronoun]
-
tre
[numeral]
(three)
-
parte
[noun]
(part)
-
euro
[noun]
(euro)
-
casa
[noun]
(house, home)
The Italian word “casa” can mean either “house” or “home”. The only way to refer to a “home” rather than a “house” is by adding a possessive adjective: “casa mia”.
-
quello
[pronoun]
(that)
-
punto
[noun]
(point)
-
presidente
[noun]
(president)
-
governo
[noun]
(government)
-
tornare
[verb]
(to return)
-
via
[noun]
(street)
In addition to its use as a noun, the word “via” in Italian word can also be used as an adverb. In this case, it means “away” and it is used to form a common goodbye phrase: “vado via”.
-
restare
[verb]
(to remain)
-
sembrare
[verb]
(to seem)
-
secondo
[adjective]
(second)
-
squadra
[noun]
(team)
-
caso
[noun]
(coincidence, instance)
The word “caso” in Italian can have different meanings, such as “coincidence” and “instance”. It is also frequently used in the phrase “in questo caso”, which means “in this case”.
-
vedere
[verb]
(to see)
-
stesso
[adjective]
(same)
-
Italia
[proper noun]
(Italy)
-
quale
[pronoun]
(which)
-
tanto
[determiner]
(so much)
-
risultato
[noun]
(result)
-
mai
[adverb]
(never)
-
insomma
[adverb]
(in short)
-
però
[adverb]
(but)
-
niente
[pronoun]
(nothing)
-
mercato
[noun]
(market)
-
comunque
[adverb]
(anyhow, anyway)
-
continuare
[verb]
(to continue)
-
situazione
[noun]
(situation)
-
dunque
[adverb]
(so, therfore)
-
nostro
[determiner]
(our)
-
finire
[verb]
(to finish)
-
diverso
[adjective]
(different)
-
loro
[determiner]
(their)
-
vero
[adjective]
(true)
-
parola
[noun]
(word)
-
fine
[noun]
(end)
-
momento
[noun]
(moment)
-
rimanere
[verb]
(to stay)
-
forse
[adverb]
(perhaps)
-
proprio
[adverb]
(exactly, precisely)
-
buono
[adjective]
(good)
-
storia
[noun]
(history)
-
cambiare
[verb]
(to exchange)
-
partita
[noun]
(match)
-
calcio
[noun]
(soccer, kick, calcium)
The Italian word “calcio” has several meanings. One of these meanings is “calcium”. But what makes it a common word is its second meaning which is “soccer”, a sport which is particularly popular in Italy.
-
mio
[pronoun]
(my)
-
riferire
[verb]
(to report, to tell)
-
chi
[pronoun]
(who)
-
adesso
[adverb]
(now)
-
uomo
[noun]
(man)
-
notizia
[noun]
(news)
-
persona
[noun]
(person)
-
annunciare
[verb]
(to announce)
-
troppo
[adverb]
(too much)
-
prossimo
[adjective]
(next)
-
io
[pronoun]
(I)
Just like all the Italian personal pronouns, this pronoun is oftentimes implied, since the subject can be inferred from the verb form. Interestingly, it is still among the most common Italian words.
-
donna
[noun]
(woman)
-
dare
[verb]
(to give)
-
prevedere
[verb]
(to foresee)
-
città
[noun]
(city)
-
mondo
[noun]
(world)
-
posto
[noun]
(place)
-
futuro
[noun]
(the future)
-
vita
[noun]
(life)
-
giovane
[noun]
(young person)
-
trovare
[verb]
(to find)
-
vincere
[verb]
(to win)
-
bello
[adjective]
(nice)
-
davvero
[adverb]
(really)
-
ecco
[adverb]
(here, there)
This colloquial Italian word does not have an English equivalent. It is often used to emphasize something, in addition to appearing in several common Italian phrases, such as “ecco a te!”(“here you go!”), and “ecco fatto!” (“done!”).
-
perdere
[verb]
(to lose)
-
chiedere
[verb]
(to ask)
-
pubblico
[adjective]
(public)
-
strada
[noun]
(street)
-
polizia
[noun]
(police)
-
domani
[adverb]
(tomorrow)
-
campo
[noun]
(field)
-
ultimo
[adjective]
(last)
-
gruppo
[noun]
(group)
-
milione
[numeral]
(million)
-
chiudere
[verb]
(to close)
-
pensare
[verb]
(to think)
-
qualche
[determiner]
(some, a few, any)
-
allora
[adverb]
(so)
-
gara
[noun]
(competition)
-
finale
[noun]
(final)
-
politico
[adjective]
(political)
-
consiglio
[noun]
(advice)
-
centro
[noun]
(center)
-
diventare
[verb]
(to become)
-
se
[conjunction]
(if)
-
ogni
[determiner]
(every)
-
quanto
[pronoun]
(how much, how many)
-
mese
[noun]
(month)
-
ieri
[adverb]
(yesterday)
-
intanto
[adverb]
(in the meantime)
-
trattare
[verb]
(to deal with)
-
gol
[noun]
(goal)
-
noi
[pronoun]
(we)
-
società
[noun]
(society)
-
Milano
[proper noun]
(Milan)
-
passare
[verb]
(to pass)
-
sotto
[preposition]
(under)
-
questione
[noun]
(question)
-
giornata
[noun]
(day)
-
ministro
[noun]
(minister)
-
quattro
[numeral]
(four)
-
prendere
[verb]
(to take)
-
volta
[noun]
(time)
-
carabiniere
[noun]
(carabiniere)
-
gioco
[noun]
(game)
-
prima
[adverb]
(before)
-
cominciare
[verb]
(to start)
-
soprattutto
[adverb]
(especially, above all)
-
famiglia
[noun]
(family)
-
progetto
[noun]
(project)
-
no
[adverb]
(no)
-
numero
[noun]
(number)
-
settimana
[noun]
(week)
This basic Italian word is similar to the corresponding Romanian word, “săptămână”. For more similar words between these languages, see this comparison of Romanian vs Italian.
-
risposta
[noun]
(reply)
-
meglio
[adverb]
(better)
-
scuola
[noun]
(school)
-
lui
[pronoun]
(he)
-
importante
[adjective]
(important)
-
subito
[adverb]
(immediately)
-
prezzo
[noun]
(price)
-
difficile
[adjective]
(hard)
-
nulla
[pronoun]
(nothing)
-
paese
[noun]
(country)
-
comune
[noun]
(city hall, town hall)
-
programma
[noun]
(program)
-
quasi
[adverb]
(almost)
-
sapere
[verb]
(to know)
-
bisognare
[verb]
(it is necessary to)
-
servizio
[noun]
(service)
-
dove
[adverb]
(where)
-
titolo
[noun]
(title)
-
nome
[noun]
(name)
-
giocatore
[noun]
(player)
-
stato
[noun]
(state)
-
colpo
[noun]
(blow)
-
sindaco
[noun]
(mayor)
-
almeno
[adverb]
(at least)
-
mancare
[verb]
(to be missing)
-
nazionale
[adjective]
(national)
-
vittima
[noun]
(victim)
-
certo
[adverb]
(of course)
-
europeo
[adjective]
(European)
-
vittoria
[noun]
(victory)
-
sicurezza
[noun]
(safety)
-
fatto
[noun]
(fact)
-
iniziare
[verb]
(to begin, to start)
-
alcuno
[determiner]
(not any, no)
-
dato
[noun]
(figure, data)
-
domenica
[noun]
(Sunday)
The origin of this Italian word derives from the Latin expression “Dies Dominicus”, which means “Lord’s Day”.
-
crisi
[noun]
(crisis)
-
avvenire
[verb]
(to happen, future)
The Italian word “avvenire” can be both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it means “to happen”; as a noun, it means “future”.
-
positivo
[adjective]
(positive)
-
bastare
[verb]
(to suffice, to be enough)
-
ragazzo
[noun]
(boy)
-
sito
[noun]
(site)
-
rischio
[noun]
(risk)
-
giocare
[verb]
(to play)
-
stagione
[noun]
(season)
-
verso
[preposition]
(toward)
-
lungo
[adjective]
(long)
-
scelta
[noun]
(choice)
-
guerra
[noun]
(war)
-
confermare
[verb]
(to confirm)
-
condizione
[noun]
(condition)
-
Napoli
[proper noun]
(Naples)
This word originates from the Greek “Neapolis”, which means “new city”. Its etymology refers to a distinctive trait of the Neapolitan Greek age: Napoli was influenced by the identity of different populations settling there, which made it a “new city”.
-
resto
[noun]
(rest)
-
rete
[noun]
(net)
-
morire
[verb]
(to die)
-
terzo
[adjective]
(third)
-
sì
[interjection]
(yes)
This very common Italian word has a homonym: “si”. The first one, “sì” has an accent and it is an affirmation adverb. The second one, “si” does not have an accent, and is a reflexive pronoun (third person singular).
-
piazza
[noun]
(square, plaza)
The Italian word “piazza” has the same origin as the Spanish word “plaza” (which we also use in English). Those who travel to Italy get a chance to use this word when they visit the Piazza San Marco in Venice, the Piazza del Duomo in Florence, or the Piazza Navona in Rome.
-
piccolo
[adjective]
(small)
-
aperto
[adjective]
(open)
-
decisione
[noun]
(decision)
-
incontro
[noun]
(meeting)
-
corso
[noun]
(course)
-
musica
[noun]
(music)
Italy is the birthplace of opera. If you travel to Italy, you might visit famous opera houses like La Scala in Milan or La Fenice in Venice. Well-known Italian composers include Vivaldi, Puccini, and Verdi. In light of all this, it is not surprising that “musica” is a frequently-used Italian word.
-
indagine
[noun]
(investigation)
-
nota
[noun]
(note)
-
notte
[noun]
(night)
-
ferito
[noun]
(wounded)
-
polemica
[noun]
(controversy)
-
politica
[noun]
(politics)
-
sentire
[verb]
(to feel)
The Italian verb “sentire” primarily means “to feel”, and it is used to express emotions in Italian. In many contexts, it also means “to hear”. However, just as in English, Italian also differentiates between “to hear” and “to listen”; for the latter, the “ascoltare” would be used.
-
voto
[noun]
(vote, mark)
-
accordo
[noun]
(agreement)
-
chiaro
[adjective]
(clear, light)
-
noto
[adjective]
(well-known)
-
aspettare
[verb]
(to wait)
-
tecnico
[adjective]
(technical)
-
decidere
[verb]
(to decide)
-
pronto
[adjective]
(ready)
-
infine
[adverb]
(in the end)
-
bambino
[noun]
(baby)
Surely you have heard of (and probably even seen) the classic Disney film Bambi. Perhaps you don’t know that the name Bambi comes from the Italian word bambino, which means “child.”
-
legge
[noun]
(law)
-
ormai
[adverb]
(at this point)
-
lasciare
[verb]
(to leave)
-
ripresa
[noun]
(recovery, shooting)
-
forza
[noun]
(force)
-
piano
[noun]
(plan)
-
banca
[noun]
(bank)
-
cinque
[numeral]
(five)
-
circa
[adverb]
(approximately)
-
sperare
[verb]
(to hope)
-
partire
[verb]
(to leave)
-
nascere
[verb]
(to be born)
-
aprire
[verb]
(to open)
-
paura
[noun]
(fear)
-
fuori
[adverb]
(out)
-
regione
[noun]
(region)
-
miliardo
[numeral]
(billion)
-
attendere
[verb]
(to wait for)
-
partito
[noun]
(party)
-
incidente
[noun]
(incident, accident)
-
sei
[numeral]
(six)
-
avanti
[adverb]
(forward)
The Italian adverb “avanti” means “forward.” It is also used as an interjection to tell someone to come in after they have knocked on the door.
-
prova
[noun]
(trial)
-
chiamare
[verb]
(to call)
-
tifoso
[noun]
(fan)
-
lei
[pronoun]
(she)
-
figlio
[noun]
(son)
-
campionato
[noun]
(championship)
-
allenatore
[noun]
(trainer)
-
festa
[noun]
(party)
The Italian word “festa” is similar to the Spanish word “fiesta.” That’s because they come from the same Latin term.
-
serata
[noun]
(evening)
-
forte
[adjective]
(strong)
-
presentare
[verb]
(to present)
-
meno
[adverb]
(less)
-
migliore
[adjective]
(better)
-
mano
[noun]
(hand)
-
giugno
[noun]
(June)
-
novità
[noun]
(news)
While in English the word “news” can only be singular, its Italian equivalent “novità” can be plural too. When this word is in a plural form, its spelling is the same. But the grammar elements referring to it will change.
-
locale
[adjective]
(local)
-
esistere
[verb]
(to exist)
-
operazione
[noun]
(operation)
-
servire
[verb]
(to serve)
-
lavorare
[verb]
(to work)
-
attacco
[noun]
(attack)
-
possibile
[adjective]
(possible)
-
mezzo
[noun]
(half)
-
piacere
[verb]
(to like)
-
settembre
[noun]
(September)
-
libero
[adjective]
(free)
-
informazione
[noun]
(information)
-
sfida
[noun]
(challenge)
-
dubbio
[noun]
(doubt)
-
processo
[noun]
(process)
-
morto
[noun]
(deceased)
-
rendere
[verb]
(to give back)
-
minuto
[noun]
(minute)
-
obiettivo
[noun]
(objective)
-
esempio
[noun]
(example)
-
calo
[noun]
(decrease, drop)
-
motivo
[noun]
(reason)
-
male
[adverb]
(badly)
-
li
[pronoun]
(them)
-
rapporto
[noun]
(report)
-
difesa
[noun]
(defence)
-
protesta
[noun]
(protest)
-
spettacolo
[noun]
(show)
-
danno
[noun]
(damage)
-
auto
[noun]
(car)
It is not surprising that “auto” is a common Italian word given the many world-famous Italian car manufacturers, like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati.
-
posizione
[noun]
(position)
-
film
[noun]
(movie)
-
mettere
[verb]
(to put)
-
fonte
[noun]
(source)
-
oltre
[adverb]
(beyond)
-
ovviamente
[adverb]
(obviously)
-
provincia
[noun]
(province)
-
domanda
[noun]
(question)
-
intervento
[noun]
(intervention)
-
conto
[noun]
(bill)
-
quando
[conjunction]
(when)
-
maggio
[noun]
(May)
-
causa
[noun]
(cause)
-
testa
[noun]
(head)
-
controllo
[noun]
(check)
-
ragione
[noun]
(reason)
-
entrare
[verb]
(to enter)
-
vicenda
[noun]
(event)
-
ufficiale
[adjective]
(official)
-
ricerca
[noun]
(search, research)
-
giusto
[adjective]
(right)
-
cittadino
[noun]
(citizen)
-
sinistra
[noun]
(left)
-
vi
[pronoun]
(you)
-
conoscere
[verb]
(to know)
The Italian verb “conoscere” resembles the English word “connoisseur” (which is the old spelling of the French word “connaisseur.”). These terms come from the Late Latin word “conōscere.”
-
grave
[adjective]
(serious)
-
bilancio
[noun]
(balance)
-
anzi
[conjunction]
(actually, rather)
-
fino
[preposition]
(until)
-
unico
[adjective]
(unique)
-
gente
[noun]
(people)
-
cercare
[verb]
(to look for, to seek)
-
appuntamento
[noun]
(appointment)
-
alto
[adjective]
(tall)
-
portare
[verb]
(to bring)
-
contratto
[noun]
(contract)
-
ritorno
[noun]
(return)
-
credere
[verb]
(to believe)
-
azione
[noun]
(action)
-
fuoco
[noun]
(fire)
-
sindacato
[noun]
(trade union)
-
fondo
[noun]
(bottom)
-
particolare
[noun]
(particular)
-
maggiore
[adjective]
(greater)
-
costo
[noun]
(cost)
-
carcere
[noun]
(prison)
-
passo
[noun]
(step)
-
soluzione
[noun]
(solution)
-
attesa
[noun]
(wait)
-
pieno
[adjective]
(full)
-
sabato
[noun]
(Saturday)
-
allarme
[noun]
(alarm)
-
semplice
[adjective]
(simple)
-
riuscire
[verb]
(to be able to)
-
principale
[adjective]
(principal)
-
reazione
[noun]
(reaction)
-
linea
[noun]
(line)
-
fiducia
[noun]
(trust)
-
sogno
[noun]
(dream)
-
massimo
[adjective]
(maximum)
-
affermare
[verb]
(to assert)
-
pomeriggio
[noun]
(afternoon)
-
idea
[noun]
(idea)
-
zona
[noun]
(area)
-
ministero
[noun]
(ministry)
-
amico
[noun]
(friend)
-
crescita
[noun]
(growth)
-
scrivere
[verb]
(to write)
-
scontro
[noun]
(clash, crash)
-
soldi
[noun]
(money)
The Italian word “soldi” means “money”; it is always used in the plural form.
-
giudizio
[noun]
(judgment)
-
settore
[noun]
(sector)
-
dollaro
[noun]
(dollar)
-
sorpresa
[noun]
(surprise)
-
luglio
[noun]
(July)
-
diritto
[noun]
(the right side)
-
episodio
[noun]
(episode)
-
fermare
[verb]
(to stop)
-
duro
[adjective]
(hard)
-
sistema
[noun]
(system)
-
gennaio
[noun]
(January)
-
riportare
[verb]
(report, bring back)
The Italian verb “riportare” has two different meanings: “to report”, and “to bring back”. You can easily tell which meaning is intended from the context.
-
quarto
[adjective]
(fourth)
-
inoltre
[adverb]
(furthermore)
-
azzurro
[adjective]
(light blue)
-
rispondere
[verb]
(to answer)
-
la
[pronoun]
(her, it)
-
inizio
[noun]
(start)
-
stampa
[noun]
(press)
-
rosso
[adjective]
(red)
-
entro
[preposition]
(by, within)
-
morte
[noun]
(death)
-
proposta
[noun]
(proposal)
-
maggioranza
[noun]
(majority)
-
ospedale
[noun]
(hospital)
-
ottobre
[noun]
(October)
-
discorso
[noun]
(speech)
-
realtà
[noun]
(reality)
-
vendita
[noun]
(sale)
-
scena
[noun]
(scene)
-
rialzo
[noun]
(rise)
-
arbitro
[noun]
(referee)
-
seguire
[verb]
(to follow)
-
valore
[noun]
(value)
-
commissione
[noun]
(commission)
-
uscire
[verb]
(to go out)
-
grazie
[noun]
(thank you)
-
infatti
[adverb]
(indeed)
-
modo
[noun]
(way)
-
crescere
[verb]
(to grow)
-
accadere
[verb]
(to happen)
-
scattare
[verb]
(shoot, take a picture)
-
aprile
[noun]
(April)
-
amore
[noun]
(love)
-
commento
[noun]
(comment)
-
indagare
[verb]
(to investigate)
-
arrivo
[noun]
(arrival)
-
panchina
[noun]
(bench)
-
vicino
[adjective]
(near)
-
medico
[noun]
(doctor)
-
economico
[adjective]
(economic)
-
marzo
[noun]
(March)
-
senso
[noun]
(sense)
-
manifestazione
[noun]
(expression, demonstration)
-
immagine
[noun]
(image)
-
serie
[noun]
(series)
-
pure
[adverb]
(also)
-
confronto
[noun]
(comparison)
-
scegliere
[verb]
(to choose)
-
fronte
[noun]
(forehead)
-
segno
[noun]
(sign)
-
fra
[preposition]
(between)
-
chiusura
[noun]
(closure)
-
interno
[noun]
(inside, interior)
-
corsa
[noun]
(race)
-
americano
[adjective]
(American)
-
arresto
[noun]
(arrest)
-
classifica
[noun]
(rank, chart)
-
registrare
[verb]
(to record, to register)
-
arrestare
[verb]
(to stop)
-
comunicare
[verb]
(to communicate)
-
fase
[noun]
(phase)
-
cambio
[noun]
(exchange)
-
richiesta
[noun]
(request)
-
chiesa
[noun]
(church)
-
generale
[adjective]
(general)
-
facile
[adjective]
(easy)
-
intervenire
[verb]
(to intervene)
-
riguardare
[verb]
(review, take care of yourself)
The most common translation of this Italian verb is “to review”, but when it is used in its reflexive form (riguardarsi), it means “to take care of oneself”.
-
occhio
[noun]
(eye)
-
regola
[noun]
(rule)
-
formazione
[noun]
(education, development)
-
elettorale
[adjective]
(electoral)
-
presto
[adverb]
(soon)
-
ruolo
[noun]
(role)
-
corpo
[noun]
(body)
-
cuore
[noun]
(heart)
-
ordine
[noun]
(order)
-
nero
[adjective]
(black)
-
atto
[noun]
(act)
-
dicembre
[noun]
(December)
-
giro
[noun]
(turn, stroll)
-
libro
[noun]
(book)
From Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy to Umberto Eco's Name of the Rose, Italy has made many contributions to literature. It comes as no surprise that “libro” is a vocabulary word that one frequently encounters in the Italian language.
-
comunale
[adjective]
-
piede
[noun]
(foot)
-
durare
[verb]
(to last)
-
dettaglio
[noun]
(detail)
-
violenza
[noun]
(violence)
-
termine
[noun]
(end)
-
traffico
[noun]
(traffic)
-
studio
[noun]
(study)
-
bisogno
[noun]
(need)
-
accusa
[noun]
(accusation)
-
partenza
[noun]
(departure)
-
errore
[noun]
(mistake)
-
proseguire
[verb]
(to continue)
-
agosto
[noun]
(August)
-
vivere
[verb]
(to live)
-
voce
[noun]
(voice)
-
scorso
[adjective]
(last)
-
pagina
[noun]
(page)
-
sera
[noun]
(evening)
-
guardare
[verb]
(to watch)
-
contrario
[noun]
(contrary)
-
tema
[noun]
(theme)
-
febbraio
[noun]
(February)
-
spesso
[adverb]
(often)
-
Europa
[proper noun]
(Europe)
-
denuncia
[noun]
(complaint)
-
spazio
[noun]
(space)
-
porta
[noun]
(door)
-
impresa
[noun]
(enterprise, endeavour)
-
verità
[noun]
(truth)
-
stop
[noun]
(stop)
-
naturalmente
[adverb]
(naturally)
-
presente
[adjective]
(present)
-
livello
[noun]
(level)
-
sentenza
[noun]
(verdict, judgment)
-
colore
[noun]
(color)
-
iniziativa
[noun]
(initiative)
-
base
[noun]
(base, fundamentals)
-
civile
[adjective]
(civil)
-
dieci
[numeral]
(ten)
-
cinema
[noun]
(cinema)
-
regionale
[adjective]
(regional)
-
elezione
[noun]
(election)
-
riprendere
[verb]
(get back, resume)
-
salire
[verb]
(to go up)
-
storico
[adjective]
(historical)
-
sport
[noun]
(sport)
-
vertice
[noun]
(vertex, summit)
-
silenzio
[noun]
(silence)
-
viaggio
[noun]
(voyage)
-
ti
[pronoun]
(you)
-
aumento
[noun]
(increase)
-
campione
[noun]
(champion)
-
rischiare
[verb]
(to risk)
-
analista
[noun]
(analyst)
-
entrambi
[pronoun]
(both)
-
coppia
[noun]
(couple)
-
negativo
[adjective]
(negative)
-
aumentare
[verb]
(to increase)
-
giornalista
[noun]
(journalist)
-
inchiesta
[noun]
(investigation)
-
provare
[verb]
(to try)
-
insieme
[adverb]
(together)
-
sicuramente
[adverb]
(surely)
-
vista
[noun]
(view)
-
novembre
[noun]
(November)
-
puntare
[verb]
(head towards, aim for)
-
denunciare
[verb]
(to report)
-
personale
[adjective]
(personal)
-
sette
[numeral]
(seven)
-
sviluppo
[noun]
(development)
-
soltanto
[adverb]
(only)
-
pace
[noun]
(peace)
-
versione
[noun]
(version)
-
foto
[noun]
(photo)
-
contare
[verb]
(to count)
-
colpa
[noun]
(fault)
-
lì
[adverb]
(there)
-
concerto
[noun]
(concert)
-
chiuso
[adjective]
(closed)
-
premio
[noun]
(prize)
-
leader
[noun]
(leader)
-
ottimo
[adjective]
(very good, great)
-
totale
[adjective]
(total)
-
me
[pronoun]
(me)
-
rispetto
[noun]
(respect)
-
Milan
[proper noun]
(Milan)
-
riforma
[noun]
(reform)
-
tensione
[noun]
(tension)
-
purtroppo
[adverb]
(unfortunately)
-
gratuito
[adjective]
(free)
-
capire
[verb]
(to understand)
-
breve
[adjective]
(short)
-
acqua
[noun]
(water)
-
funzionare
[verb]
(to work)
-
rigore
[noun]
(rigor, strictness)
-
tuttavia
[conjunction]
(but, however)
-
cultura
[noun]
(culture)
-
derby
[noun]
(derby)
-
occasione
[noun]
(occasion)
-
video
[noun]
(video)
-
attenzione
[noun]
(attention)
-
record
[noun]
(record)
-
spesa
[noun]
(expense)
-
capo
[noun]
(head)
-
protagonista
[noun]
(main character)
-
giallo
[noun]
(yellow)
-
battaglia
[noun]
(battle)
-
lista
[noun]
(list)
-
apparire
[verb]
(to appear)
-
testo
[noun]
(text)
-
segnale
[noun]
(signal)
-
leggere
[verb]
(to read)
-
doppio
[adjective]
(double)
-
quotidiano
[noun]
(daily)
-
giudice
[noun]
(judge)
-
durante
[preposition]
(during)
-
territorio
[noun]
(territory)
-
passato
[noun]
(past)
-
tedesco
[adjective]
(German)
-
pagare
[verb]
(to pay)
-
vecchio
[adjective]
(old)
The Italian word “vecchio” is easy to remember because it is in the name of that famous bridge in Florence, the “Ponte Vecchio” (which means “Old Bridge”).
-
direttore
[noun]
(director)
-
teatro
[noun]
(theater)
-
agente
[noun]
(agent)
-
differenza
[noun]
(difference)
-
internazionale
[adjective]
(international)
-
Parma
[proper noun]
(Parma)
-
francese
[adjective]
(French)
-
speranza
[noun]
(hope)
-
tuo
[determiner]
(your)
-
messaggio
[noun]
(message)
-
acquisto
[noun]
(purchase)
-
studente
[noun]
(student)
-
sciopero
[noun]
(strike)
-
padre
[noun]
(father)
-
portavoce
[noun]
(spokeperson)
-
premier
[noun]
(premier)
-
terra
[noun]
(soil, Earth)
-
completo
[adjective]
(full)
-
nemmeno
[adverb]
(not even)
-
appello
[noun]
(appeal)
-
disposizione
[noun]
(disposal)
-
lira
[noun]
(lira)
The word “lira” refers to the former Italian currency.
-
allenamento
[noun]
(training)
-
rivelare
[verb]
(to reveal)
-
provvedimento
[noun]
(measure)
-
qualità
[noun]
(quality)
-
sconfitta
[noun]
(defeat)
-
magari
[adverb]
(maybe, I wish!)
The Italian word “magari” does not have an exact English translation. This adverb is often used to express a strong desire that is perceived as unattainable.
-
Torino
[proper noun]
(Turin)
-
carta
[noun]
(paper)
-
disponibile
[adjective]
(available)
-
tribunale
[noun]
(court)
-
responsabile
[noun]
(person in charge)
-
succedere
[verb]
(to happen, to succeed)
-
seguito
[noun]
(sequel, continuation)
-
pericolo
[noun]
(danger)
-
club
[noun]
(club)
-
azienda
[noun]
(company)
-
media
[noun]
(average)
-
emergenza
[noun]
(emergency)
-
spiegare
[verb]
(to explain)
-
capitale
[noun]
(capital)
-
luogo
[noun]
(place)
-
sociale
[adjective]
(social)
-
tipo
[noun]
(character, type, dude)
In its primary meaning, this word means “type”. In informal contexts, it can be used to refer to a person who is a character.
-
Lazio
[proper noun]
(Lazio)
-
candidato
[noun]
(candidate)
-
numeroso
[adjective]
(numerous)
-
ricorso
[noun]
(appeal)
-
Rai
[proper noun]
-
otto
[numeral]
(eight)
-
cifra
[noun]
(figure)
-
stadio
[noun]
(stadium)
-
campagna
[noun]
(countryside)
-
estero
[noun]
(abroad)
-
addio
[noun]
(goodbye)
-
risultare
[verb]
(result in, turn out to be)
-
dichiarare
[verb]
(to declare)
-
tenere
[verb]
(to hold)
-
le
[pronoun]
(her, them)
-
battere
[verb]
(to beat)
-
parere
[verb]
(seem, appear)
-
Palermo
[proper noun]
(Palermo)
-
valere
[verb]
(to be worth)
-
modello
[noun]
(model)
-
luce
[noun]
(light)
-
toccare
[verb]
(to touch)
-
struttura
[noun]
(structure)
-
merito
[noun]
(merit)
-
sportivo
[adjective]
(sports)
-
vantaggio
[noun]
(advantage, benefit)
-
pubblicare
[verb]
(to publish)
-
tragedia
[noun]
(tragedy)
-
evento
[noun]
(event)
-
visita
[noun]
(visit)
-
dichiarazione
[noun]
(declaration)
-
bianco
[adjective]
(white)
-
forma
[noun]
(form)
-
scendere
[verb]
(to descend, to go down)
-
recuperare
[verb]
(to retrieve, to recover)
-
sede
[noun]
(branch)
-
comunicato
[noun]
(public notice)
-
misura
[noun]
(measure)
-
effetto
[noun]
(effect)
-
ragazza
[noun]
(girl)
-
ipotesi
[noun]
(hypothesis)
-
Marco
[proper noun]
-
difficoltà
[noun]
(difficulty)
-
impegno
[noun]
(commitment)
-
mondiale
[adjective]
(world)
-
lontano
[adjective]
(distant)
-
inutile
[adjective]
(useless)
-
segretario
[noun]
(secretary)
-
vigile
[noun]
(traffic warden)
-
limite
[noun]
(limit)
-
opposizione
[noun]
(opposition)
-
pesante
[adjective]
(heavy)
-
attualmente
[adverb]
(currently)
-
lunedì
[noun]
(Monday)
-
pista
[noun]
(track)
-
ricordare
[verb]
(to remember)
-
mostra
[noun]
(show)
-
genitore
[noun]
(parent)
-
svolgere
[verb]
(carry out)
-
eppure
[conjunction]
(and yet, but yet)
-
stavolta
[adverb]
(this time)
-
presenza
[noun]
(presence)
-
militare
[adjective]
(military)
-
Paolo
[proper noun]
(Paul)
-
responsabilità
[noun]
(responsibility)
-
turno
[noun]
(shift)
-
mare
[noun]
(sea)
The word “mare” (which means “sea”) is frequently used in the Italian language. The reason for this has to do with Italian geography. Italy is a country with a long coastline; the country is surrounded by several seas, including the Mediterranean Sea, Adriatic Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea, and Ionian Sea.
-
solidarietà
[noun]
(solidarity)
-
completamente
[adverb]
(completely)
-
periodo
[noun]
(period)
-
fenomeno
[noun]
(phenomenon)
-
durata
[noun]
(duration)
-
fondamentale
[adjective]
(basic)
-
tranquillo
[adjective]
(calm)
-
solito
[noun]
(usual)
-
serio
[adjective]
(serious)
-
raggiungere
[verb]
(to reach)
-
neanche
[adverb]
(neither)
-
partecipazione
[noun]
(participation)
-
risalire
[verb]
(date back to, go back up)
-
assolutamente
[adverb]
(absolutely)
-
aiuto
[noun]
(help)
-
esperienza
[noun]
(experience)
-
vario
[adjective]
(varied)
-
giovedì
[noun]
(Thursday)
-
occorrere
[verb]
(to be required)
-
trattativa
[noun]
(negotiation)
-
finora
[adverb]
(till now)
-
Napolitano
[proper noun]
-
fissare
[verb]
(set, fixate on, secure)
-
opera
[noun]
(endeavour, opera)
-
mattina
[noun]
(morning)
-
Natale
[proper noun]
(Christmas)
-
debole
[adjective]
(weak)
-
concludere
[verb]
(to conclude)
-
sbagliare
[verb]
(to make a mistake)
-
area
[noun]
(area)
-
terminare
[verb]
(to end)
-
veramente
[adverb]
(truly)
-
interessante
[adjective]
(interesting)
-
ce
[pronoun]
(us, to us)
-
perfetto
[adjective]
(perfect)
-
lotta
[noun]
(struggle)
-
finanziario
[adjective]
(financial)
-
dietro
[adverb]
(behind)
-
borsa
[noun]
(bag)
-
compagnia
[noun]
(company)
-
documento
[noun]
(document)
-
giunta
[noun]
(council)
-
centrale
[adjective]
(central)
-
aria
[noun]
(air)
-
precedente
[adjective]
(previous)
-
pioggia
[noun]
(rain)
If you listen to weather reports in Italian, “pioggia” is a vocabulary word that you will regularly hear. The origin of this term is the Latin word “pluvia”. See here for more similarities between Italian and Latin.
-
affidare
[verb]
(to entrust)
-
critica
[noun]
(criticism)
-
straordinario
[adjective]
(extraordinary, overtime)
The Italian word “straordinario” primarily means “extraordinary”. But, in the phrase “Fare lo straordinario”, the term means working overtime.
-
correre
[verb]
(to run)
-
passione
[noun]
(passion)
-
privato
[adjective]
(private)
-
bloccare
[verb]
(to block)
-
faccia
[noun]
(face)
-
segnare
[verb]
(to mark)
-
accettare
[verb]
(to accept)
-
esperto
[noun]
(expert)
-
fermo
[adjective]
(fixed)
-
appunto
[adverb]
(precisely)
-
colpire
[verb]
(to hit)
-
avvio
[noun]
(start)
-
segreto
[noun]
(secret)
-
ufficio
[noun]
(office)
-
usare
[verb]
(to use)
-
scoprire
[verb]
(discover)
-
macchina
[noun]
(machine)
-
destra
[noun]
(right)
-
decisivo
[adjective]
(decisive)
-
taglio
[noun]
(cut)
-
giustizia
[noun]
(justice)
-
immigrato
[noun]
(immigrant)
-
avversario
[noun]
(opponent)
-
previsione
[noun]
(forecast)
-
Francesco
[proper noun]
-
rappresentare
[verb]
(to represent)
-
dibattito
[noun]
(debate)
-
cedere
[verb]
(to surrender)
-
libertà
[noun]
(freedom)
-
ingresso
[noun]
(entrance)
-
produzione
[noun]
(production)
-
praticamente
[adverb]
(practically)
-
clima
[noun]
(climate)
-
sicuro
[adjective]
(safe)
-
migliorare
[verb]
(to improve)
-
sud
[noun]
(south)
-
metà
[noun]
(half)
-
difendere
[verb]
(to defend, to stick up for)
-
caldo
[adjective]
(hot)
-
cura
[noun]
(cure)
-
lanciare
[verb]
(to launch)
-
vostro
[determiner]
(your)
-
guadagnare
[verb]
(to earn)
-
falso
[adjective]
(false)
-
prodotto
[noun]
(product)
-
manovra
[noun]
(maneuvre, ploy)
-
speciale
[adjective]
(special)
-
offerta
[noun]
(offer)
-
giornale
[noun]
(newspaper)
Although similar to the English “journal”, this word means “newspaper”. The Italian word for “journal” is “rivista”.
-
cambiamento
[noun]
(a change)
-
rivoluzione
[noun]
(revolution)
-
parlamento
[noun]
(parliament)
-
caccia
[noun]
(hunting)
-
attività
[noun]
(activity)
-
replica
[noun]
(reply)
-
discussione
[noun]
(discussion)
-
emozione
[noun]
(emotion)
-
superare
[verb]
(to exceed)
-
soccorso
[noun]
(rescue)
-
necessario
[adjective]
(necessary)
-
svolta
[noun]
(turn, turning point)
In the context of giving directions, this Italian word simply means “turn”. When used in a different context, it can also denote a “breakthrough”.
-
repubblica
[noun]
(republic)
-
lavoratore
[noun]
(worker)
-
pericoloso
[adjective]
(dangerous)
-
probabilmente
[adverb]
(probably)
-
pareggio
[noun]
(tie)
-
impossibile
[adjective]
(impossible)
-
autorità
[noun]
(authority)
-
sostenere
[verb]
(support, maintain)
-
esterno
[adjective]
(external)
-
realizzare
[verb]
(to achieve)
-
data
[noun]
(date)
-
piuttosto
[adverb]
(rather)
-
televisione
[noun]
(television)
-
biglietto
[noun]
(ticket)
-
spagnolo
[adjective]
(Spanish)
-
ricevere
[verb]
(to receive)
-
capoluogo
[noun]
(capital)
-
ricordo
[noun]
(memory)
-
soddisfazione
[noun]
(satisfaction)
-
apertura
[noun]
(opening)
-
appena
[adverb]
(just, barely)
-
movimento
[noun]
(movement)
-
esame
[noun]
(examination)
-
riunione
[noun]
(meeting)
-
utile
[adjective]
(useful)
-
seduta
[noun]
(sitting)
-
accusare
[verb]
(to accuse)
-
altrimenti
[adverb]
(otherwise)
-
fuga
[noun]
(escape)
-
rifiuto
[noun]
(rejection)
-
fiamma
[noun]
(flame)
-
velocità
[noun]
(speed)
-
salute
[noun]
(health)
-
percorso
[noun]
(path)
-
match
[noun]
(match)
-
madre
[noun]
(mother)
-
volo
[noun]
(flight)
-
disagio
[noun]
(discomfort)
-
treno
[noun]
(train)
-
ritardo
[noun]
(delay)
-
raccontare
[verb]
(to tell)
-
fortuna
[noun]
(luck)
-
inglese
[adjective]
(English)
-
conseguenza
[noun]
(consequence)
-
ambiente
[noun]
(environment)
-
voi
[pronoun]
(you)
-
terremoto
[noun]
(earthquake)
-
lettera
[noun]
(letter)
-
porre
[verb]
(put, set, pay)
This Italian verb has several different meanings. When combined with the word “attenzione”, it means “pay attention”. In other cases, it means “to put” something, or “to set” an objective.
-
difensore
[noun]
(defender)
-
strategia
[noun]
(strategy)
-
sangue
[noun]
(blood)
-
carriera
[noun]
(career)
-
ritiro
[noun]
(withdrawal)
-
grosso
[adjective]
(big)
-
costare
[verb]
(to cost)
-
umano
[adjective]
(human)
-
conferma
[noun]
(confirmation)
-
conclusione
[noun]
(conclusion)
-
Roberto
[proper noun]
-
votare
[verb]
(to vote)
-
firma
[noun]
(signature)
-
sala
[noun]
(room)
-
finalmente
[adverb]
(at last)
-
creare
[verb]
(to create)
-
trasporto
[noun]
(transport)
-
considerare
[verb]
(to consider)
-
possibilità
[noun]
(possibility)
-
salvare
[verb]
(to save)
-
decisamente
[adverb]
(decidedly)
-
venerdì
[noun]
(Friday)
-
dimenticare
[verb]
(to forget)
-
vacanza
[noun]
(vacation)
-
centrosinistra
[noun]
(center left)
-
ottenere
[verb]
(to obtain)
-
partecipare
[verb]
(to participate in)
-
assoluto
[adjective]
(absolute)
-
investimento
[noun]
(investment)
-
vivo
[adjective]
(live)
-
direzione
[noun]
(direction)
-
arte
[noun]
(art)
From the Uffizi Gallery in Florence to the Galleria Borghese in Rome, there is plenty of art to be seen in Italy. So it makes sense that the Italian word “arte” (which means “art”) is frequently used.
-
Antonio
[proper noun]
-
tale
[determiner]
(such)
-
oro
[noun]
(gold)
-
camera
[noun]
(room)
-
relazione
[noun]
(relationship, link)
-
abbastanza
[adverb]
(enough)
-
zero
[numeral]
(zero)
-
stile
[noun]
(style)
-
preoccupazione
[noun]
(worry)
-
personaggio
[noun]
(character)
-
bravo
[adjective]
(good at something)
-
incredibile
[adjective]
(incredible)
-
quota
[noun]
(amount)
-
definitivo
[adjective]
(final, definitive)
-
mercoledì
[noun]
(Wednesday)
-
basso
[adjective]
(low)
-
categoria
[noun]
(category)
-
dolore
[noun]
(ache)
-
capitolo
[noun]
(chapter)
-
popolo
[noun]
(people)
-
effettuare
[verb]
(to make)
-
immediato
[adjective]
(immediate)
-
ulteriore
[adjective]
(further)
-
lezione
[noun]
(lesson)
-
furto
[noun]
(theft)
-
meritare
[verb]
(to deserve)
-
brutto
[adjective]
(ugly)
-
preparare
[verb]
(to prepare)
-
dipendere
[verb]
(to depend)
-
minimo
[adjective]
(least)
-
firmare
[verb]
(to sign)
-
strano
[adjective]
(strange)
-
interesse
[noun]
(interest)
-
peggio
[noun]
(the worst part)
-
nessun
[determiner]
(no, none)
-
neve
[noun]
(snow)
-
qualcuno
[pronoun]
(someone)
-
netto
[adjective]
(net)
-
Bologna
[proper noun]
-
felice
[adjective]
(happy)
The Italian word “feliz” and its Spanish equivalent, “feliz,” both come from the Latin term “ fēlīcem.”
-
miracolo
[noun]
(miracle)
-
democrazia
[noun]
(democracy)
-
ribasso
[noun]
(depreciation)
-
progresso
[noun]
(progress)
-
turismo
[noun]
(tourism)
Italy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. So it is only natural that the Italian word “turismo” (which means “tourism”) is often used.
-
Bari
[proper noun]
-
rientrare
[verb]
(return, go/come back)
-
magistrato
[noun]
(magistrate)
-
contento
[adjective]
(pleased)
-
chilometro
[noun]
(kilometer)
-
guida
[noun]
(guide)
-
terreno
[noun]
(ground)
-
sereno
[adjective]
(serene)
-
reale
[adjective]
(real)
-
agenzia
[noun]
(agency)
-
contenuto
[noun]
(content)
-
guardia
[noun]
(guard)
-
passaggio
[noun]
(passage)
-
familiare
[noun]
(relative)
-
complesso
[adjective]
(complex)
-
memoria
[noun]
(memory)
-
offrire
[verb]
(to offer)
-
corte
[noun]
(court)
-
attaccante
[noun]
(striker)
-
prestazione
[noun]
(performance)
-
traccia
[noun]
(trace)
-
ospite
[noun]
(guest)
-
freddo
[adjective]
(cold)
The Italian word “freddo” and the English word “refrigerator” are both related to the Latin adjective “frīgidus” (which means “cold”).
-
dimissione
[noun]
(discharge)
-
moglie
[noun]
(wife)
-
affare
[noun]
(business, matter)
-
quadro
[noun]
(painting, picture)
-
interessare
[verb]
(to interest)
-
dialogo
[noun]
(dialogue)
-
gli
[pronoun]
(him, them)
-
approvare
[verb]
(to approve)
-
articolo
[noun]
(article)
-
ritrovare
[verb]
(to find)
-
estate
[noun]
(summer)
-
stazione
[noun]
(station)
-
attore
[noun]
(actor)
-
promozione
[noun]
(promotion)
-
palla
[noun]
(ball)
-
cliente
[noun]
(customer)
-
fratello
[noun]
(brother)
-
normale
[adjective]
(normal)
-
test
[noun]
(test)
-
sanità
[noun]
(healthcare)
-
parco
[noun]
(park)
-
popolazione
[noun]
(population)
-
dividere
[verb]
(to divide)
-
cinese
[adjective]
(Chinese)
-
angolo
[noun]
(angle)
-
porto
[noun]
(port)
-
segnalare
[verb]
(signal, point out)
-
presentazione
[noun]
(presentation)
-
straniero
[adjective]
(foreign)
-
mistero
[noun]
(mystery)
-
Firenze
[proper noun]
(Florence)
-
concorso
[noun]
(competitive exam, contest)
-
russo
[adjective]
(Russian)
-
vuoto
[adjective]
(empty)
-
genere
[noun]
(genre, gender)
-
giungere
[verb]
(to come)
-
ascoltare
[verb]
(to listen)
-
nord
[noun]
(north)
-
aspetto
[noun]
(look)
-
gestione
[noun]
(management)
-
pezzo
[noun]
(piece)
-
contatto
[noun]
(contact)
-
destino
[noun]
(destiny)
-
autore
[noun]
(author)
-
incontrare
[verb]
(to encounter, to meet)
-
dedicare
[verb]
(to dedicate)
-
decreto
[noun]
(decree)
-
attuale
[adjective]
(current)
-
regia
[noun]
(direction)
-
web
[noun]
(web)
-
pensione
[noun]
(pension)
-
scudetto
[noun]
(championship)
-
associazione
[noun]
(association)
-
riferimento
[noun]
(reference)
-
stasera
[adverb]
(this evening)
This common Italian word is just the shorter version of “(que)sta sera”. The same type of contraction appears in “stamattina” (questa mattina), and “stanotte” (questa notte).
-
portiere
[noun]
(doorman)
-
palazzo
[noun]
(building)
-
gesto
[noun]
(gesture)
-
successivo
[adjective]
(following)
-
escludere
[verb]
(to exclude)
-
aiutare
[verb]
(to help)
-
amministrazione
[noun]
(administration)
-
critico
[adjective]
(critical)
-
tappa
[noun]
(stage)
-
smentire
[verb]
(to deny)
The Italian verb “smentire” is derived from the verb “mentire”, which means “to lie”. The prefix “s-” changes the meaning to
“to deny”, or “to prove wrong”.
-
pensiero
[noun]
(thought)
-
concreto
[adjective]
(concrete)
-
mantenere
[verb]
(to keep)
-
organizzare
[verb]
(to organize)
-
prospettiva
[noun]
(perspective)
-
ripartire
[verb]
(to leave again, recover)
Depending on the context, this Italian verb can have two meanings. One is “to leave again”, and the second is “to recover”. In both cases, the prefix “ri” suggests a repetition or a reaction.
-
pilota
[noun]
(pilot)
-
ammontare
[verb]
(amount to)
-
superiore
[adjective]
(superior)
-
comunicazione
[noun]
(communication)
-
sequestrare
[verb]
(to confiscate, to seize)
-
salvezza
[noun]
(salvation)
-
neppure
[adverb]
(either, not even)
This Italian adverb can be used interchangeably with “nemmeno” and “neanche”, as they are all synonyms. In the same sentence, they should be alternated to avoid repetition of the same word. See here for a list of Italian adverbs.
-
tassa
[noun]
(tax)
-
anziano
[noun]
(an elderly)
-
scenario
[noun]
(scenario, scenery)
-
democratico
[adjective]
(democratic)
-
quartiere
[noun]
(district)
-
né
[conjunction]
(neither...nor)
The Italian conjunction “né” is repeated twice in a sentence in order to negate something. It corresponds to the English “neither … nor”.
-
economia
[noun]
(economy)
-
ricco
[adjective]
(rich)
-
fiscale
[adjective]
(financial)
-
vincente
[adjective]
(winning)
-
centrocampo
[noun]
(midfield)
-
risorsa
[noun]
(resource)
-
Luca
[proper noun]
-
cadere
[verb]
(to fall)
-
utilizzare
[verb]
(to use)
-
compagno
[noun]
(companion)
-
provinciale
[adjective]
(provincial)
-
moda
[noun]
(fashion)
The word “moda” (which means “fashion” in Italian) is widely used because Italy is one of the fashion hubs of the world, with well-known brands like Gucci, Armani, and Dolce & Gabbana.
-
scambio
[noun]
(exchange)
-
verde
[adjective]
(green)
The Italian adjective “verde” comes from Latin; it is the same word in Portuguese. For more similar words between these languages, see this comparison of Portuguese vs Italian.
-
Brasile
[proper noun]
(Brazil)
-
canzone
[noun]
(song)
-
rosa
[noun]
(rose)
-
Ancona
[proper noun]
-
Mario
[proper noun]
(Mario)
As one of the most common Italian names, “Mario Rossi” is the equivalent of the English “John Doe”; it serves as an example name in textbooks.
-
accertamento
[noun]
(verification)
-
quinto
[adjective]
(fifth)
-
mamma
[noun]
(mom)
-
signore
[noun]
(mister, sir)
-
chiarire
[verb]
(to clarify)
-
cielo
[noun]
(sky)
-
classico
[adjective]
(classic)
-
incendio
[noun]
(fire)
-
parlamentare
[adjective]
(parliamentary)
-
diretto
[adjective]
(direct)
-
intorno
[adverb]
(around)
-
evitare
[verb]
(to avoid)
-
industriale
[adjective]
(industrial)
-
amare
[verb]
(to love)
-
definire
[verb]
(to define)
-
dentro
[adverb]
(inside)
-
consumatore
[noun]
(consumer)
-
legale
[adjective]
(legal, lawful)
-
flessione
[noun]
(push-up, curve)
-
intero
[adjective]
(entire)
-
decina
[noun]
(dozens)
-
muro
[noun]
(wall)
-
stella
[noun]
(a star)
The Italian word “stella” means “star.” It comes from Latin and in its capitalized form, it is also a name. The word is easy to remember if you’ve heard of the popular Jazz standard “Stella by Starlight.”
-
vendere
[verb]
(to sell)
-
convegno
[noun]
(meeting)
-
rispettare
[verb]
(to respect)