e commerciale
/ˈe kom.merˈt͡ʃa.le/word by wordfeminine
The English word ampersand is translated into Italian as e commerciale. Wiktionary also lists ampersand.
Meaning: the symbol & (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| e commerciale | /ˈe kom.merˈt͡ʃa.le/ (word by word) | feminine |
| ampersand |
The term refers to the symbol &. In Italian, the phrase e commerciale is a common way to describe this character, especially in spoken language.
Which one should you use?
While e commerciale is the more common spoken term, you may also see the direct borrowing ampersand used to refer to the symbol.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- While the English name 'ampersand' comes from a phrase for the letter 'and', the Italian term e commerciale describes the symbol by its role in business contexts.
- Using the word ampersand in a casual Italian conversation is often perceived as using technical jargon from the world of graphic design.
- The word commerciale shares a linguistic ancestor with the English word 'merchandise', both tracing back to the concept of trade.
Examples in context
- Il marchio di abbigliamento Y&Z ha aperto un nuovo negozio a Milano.The clothing brand Y&Z has opened a new store in Milan.
- Non riesco a scrivere la e commerciale.I can't write the ampersand.
- Il logo usa una e commerciale.The logo uses an ampersand.
Example conversation
Giulia and Matteo are looking at a new logo design.
- GiuliaTi piace la e commerciale nel logo?Do you like the ampersand in the logo?
- MatteoSì, è molto moderna, Giulia.Yes, it is very modern, Giulia.
- GiuliaVolevo proprio una e commerciale stilizzata.I really wanted a stylized ampersand.
- MatteoHai fatto un'ottima scelta.You made an excellent choice.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ampersand” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (e, commerciale) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries commerciale, e, CC BY-SA 4.0.
