Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| alieno | /aˈljɛ.no/ | masculine |
| extraterrestre | /ˌɛks.tra.terˈrɛs.tre/ /ˌɛs.tra.terˈrɛs.tre/ |
feminine, masculine |
Extraterrestre is the more common and natural term used in both scientific and casual contexts to refer to an alien being. Alieno is used as a noun to mean 'alien'.
Which one should you use?
Additionally, extraterrestre can function as an adjective meaning 'pertaining to extraterrestrial life'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine noun alieno does not have a common feminine form when referring to a life form. The word extraterrestre can be used as both a masculine and a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word alieno is pronounced /aˈljɛ.no/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
To describe someone who is eccentric or very different, instead of using a literal translation of 'alien', you can use the figurative expression essere di un altro pianeta (to be from another planet).
Did you know?
- While alieno means 'extraterrestrial' in a sci-fi context, in legal and administrative Italian it refers to a foreign citizen or someone from another country.
- The phrase essere di un altro pianeta is often used as a high compliment to describe an athlete or artist with supernatural talent.
- If an Italian speaker calls something alieno, they are often emphasizing a sense of eerie distance or hostility, whereas extraterrestre is more neutral and descriptive.
Examples in context
- Ho visto un alieno.I saw an alien.This sentence demonstrates the use of the noun alieno.Tatoeba #10452471 by Guybrush88, translation #10239366 by ddnktr
- Sembra un paesaggio alieno.It looks like an alien landscape.This sentence shows how alieno can be used to describe a landscape.Tatoeba #7893153 by Guybrush88, translation #7888310 by Hybrid
- Tom sì vestì da alieno per Halloween.Tom dressed as an alien for Halloween.This sentence illustrates the noun alieno in the context of a costume.Tatoeba #7257790 by Guybrush88, translation #6402349 by Hybrid
- Gli scienziati studiano la vita alienaScientists study alien life
- La navicella spaziale è stata avvistata da un extraterrestreThe spaceship was spotted by an alien
- Quell'extraterreno sembra amichevoleThat alien seems friendly
- Maria è davvero di un altro pianeta, non riesco a capirlaMaria is really from another planet, I can't understand her
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Sofia are watching a science fiction movie together.
- MatteoQuel film parla di un alieno cattivo.That movie is about a bad alien.
- SofiaSì, l'alieno sembra molto spaventoso.Yes, the alien looks very scary.
- MatteoNon credo che un alieno possa davvero esistere.I don't believe an alien can actually exist.
- SofiaMatteo, è solo un film di fantascienza!Matteo, it is just a science fiction movie!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “alien” translations and entries alieno, extraterrestre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
