Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| aereo | /aˈɛ.re.o/ | masculine |
| aeroplano | /a.e.roˈpla.no/ | masculine |
| apparecchio | /ap.paˈrek.kjo/ | masculine |
| aeromobile | /a.e.roˈmɔ.bi.le/ | feminine |
In Italian, several words can refer to a powered aircraft depending on the context. The most common and versatile term is aereo, which is used in everyday conversation. For example, you can use the phrase in aereo to mean 'by airplane' (as in 'traveling by airplane') or viaggio in aereo to mean 'air travel'.
Which one should you use?
While aereo is the standard everyday term, other forms exist for specific contexts. Aeroplano is slightly more formal or technical and is often found in historical or descriptive contexts. Apparecchio is a technical term used primarily by pilots or within aviation to refer to the aircraft as a piece of equipment. Finally, aeromobile is a formal, technical term used in official, legal or regulatory aviation contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The forms change based on gender and number. Aereo and aeroplano are masculine nouns. The plural of aereo is aerei and the plural of aeroplano is aeroplani. Apparecchio is also masculine. Aeromobile is a feminine noun, and its plural form is aeromobili.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈɛ.re.o/
Did you know?
- The word apparecchio comes from the verb apparecchiare, which means 'to set the table'.
- The word apparecchio is a technical term for an aircraft, but it is also the common word used for a 'hairdryer' or a 'piece of equipment'.
Examples in context
- Andai a Kyushu in aereo.I went to Kyushu by airplane.This sentence shows how to use aereo to express traveling by a means of transport.Tatoeba #3411156 by Guybrush88, translation #261422 by CN
- Tom ha un aereo privato.Tom has a private airplane.This sentence uses aereo to describe possession of a specific aircraft.Tatoeba #5361538 by Guybrush88, translation #4831732 by derpapottamus
- Noi abbiamo visto l'aereo.We saw the airplane.This sentence uses aereo to identify a seen aircraft.Tatoeba #4507365 by Guybrush88, translation #4501969 by CK
- Hai mai preso un aereo?Have you ever taken a plane?
- 85 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at the sky at an airport.
- FrancescoGuarda, quell'aereo è bellissimo.Look, that airplane is beautiful.
- ChiaraSì, Francesco, è davvero imponente.Yes, Francesco, it is really imposing.
- FrancescoDove sta andando l'aereo?Where is the airplane going?
- ChiaraCredo stia andando a Roma.I think it is going to Rome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “airplane” translations and entries aereo, aeroplano, apparecchio, aeromobile, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aereo, aeromobile, aeroplano, apparecchio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
