alla deriva
/ˈal.la deˈri.va/word by word
The English word adrift is translated into Italian as alla deriva.
The phrase can be used both literally to describe a vessel floating without power and figuratively to describe a person, organization or country lacking direction or stability.
Meaning: floating at random (adj)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase functions as both an adjective, meaning floating at random and an adverb, meaning in a drifting condition.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈal.la deˈri.va/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The word deriva is a direct linguistic cousin to the English word 'derivation', as both stem from the concept of a stream or flow carrying something along.
- Italian uses the noun deriva in the phrase deriva glaciale to describe the movement of ice sheets, such as the drifting of icebergs.
- In Italian, the word deriva is used in the phrase essere in deriva to describe a political or social trend that is moving in a negative or dangerous direction.
Examples in context
- L'Algeria è alla deriva.Algeria is adrift.This sentence is useful for showing how the phrase can describe a country.Tatoeba #8089512 by Guybrush88, translation #7859430 by Amastan
- La loro barca è alla deriva.Their boat is adrift.This sentence is useful for showing how the phrase describes a boat.Tatoeba #2803311 by alesimpa, translation #2445309 by MethodGT
- Siamo andati in vacanza senza un piano preciso, e ci siamo ritrovati alla deriva per tutta la settimana.We went on vacation without a specific plan, and we ended up adrift for the entire week.
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Sofia are watching the sea from a pier.
- LorenzoGuarda quella vecchia balsa, è alla deriva.Look at that old raft, it is adrift.
- SofiaSì, Lorenzo, sembra molto fragile.Yes, Lorenzo, it looks very fragile.
- LorenzoSpero che non finisca contro le rocce.I hope it doesn't hit the rocks.
- SofiaNon lo so, la marea è troppo forte.I don't know, the tide is too strong.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “adrift” translations and entries alla deriva, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (alla, deriva) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alla deriva, deriva, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
