alcalino
/al.kaˈli.no/
The English word 'alkaline' is alcalino in Italian.
The term is used as an adjective to describe something having a pH greater than 7.
Meaning: having a pH greater than 7 (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes its ending to agree with the gender and number of the noun: use alcalina for feminine nouns like soluzione (solution), alcalini for masculine plural nouns and alcaline for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /al.kaˈli.no/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- The Italian word alcalino shares a root with alcali, which comes from the Arabic word al-qaly, meaning 'the ashes of saltwort'. This refers to the ancient method of producing soda ash from plant burns.
- While alcalino is the scientific term, Italians often use the word basico in chemistry to describe the same pH level. In a non-scientific context, however, basico almost exclusively means 'basic' or 'fundamental'.
- If you are describing an alkaline mineral in a geological context, an Italian scientist might use the term alcalino to refer to a specific type of volcanic rock series.
Examples in context
- Il dentifricio è alcalino.Toothpaste is alkaline.This sentence is useful for illustrating how to say that toothpaste is alkaline using alcalino.Tatoeba #7431207 by Guybrush88, translation #5322603 by Hybrid
- La soluzione ha un valore di pH alcalino.The solution has an alkaline pH value.
- L'acqua di sorgente ha proprietà basiche.Spring water has alkaline properties.
- Beviamo l'acqua alcalina perché fa bene al nostro corpo!Let's drink alkaline water because it is good for our bodies!
- Questo tipo di terreno è molto alcalino.This type of soil is very alkaline.
Example conversation
Giulia and Lorenzo are discussing a chemistry experiment in a lab.
- GiuliaLa soluzione che hai preparato è alcalina?Is the solution you prepared alkaline?
- LorenzoSì, il suo pH è superiore a sette.Yes, its pH is higher than seven.
- GiuliaAllora è un composto alcalino, Lorenzo.Then it is an alkaline compound, Lorenzo.
- LorenzoEsatto, ho controllato con le cartine.Exactly, I checked it with the litmus paper.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry alcalino, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
