braccio
/ˈbrat.t͡ʃo/masculine
The English word arm is braccio in Italian. Wiktionary also lists membro and arto.
Meaning: upper appendage from shoulder to wrist (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| braccio | /ˈbrat.t͡ʃo/ | masculine |
| membro | /ˈmem.bro/ /ˈmɛm.bro/ |
masculine |
| arto | /ˈar.to/ | masculine |
The primary meaning is the upper appendage from shoulder to wrist. Related to this, the verb armare can mean to prepare for action or to supply with armour or weapons.
Which one should you use?
Use braccio for the everyday anatomical term for the arm. In medical, technical or formal contexts, use arto to mean limb. The formal expression arto superiore specifically means upper limb.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
{'ipa': '/ˈbrat.tʃo/', 'syllables': 2, 'stressed_syllable': '1 of 2'}
Did you know?
- In Italian, the phrase stare a braccetto describes two people walking while hooking arms, often implying a romantic or very close social connection.
- In Italian, if someone is a 'strong arm' in a political or social sense, they are called a braccio destro, which translates literally as 'right arm' and means a most trusted assistant.
- The word braccio is used to describe the 'arm' of a chair or a sofa, just as in English, but it also refers to the 'arm' of a road or a river when describing a branch or tributary.
Examples in context
- Ho male al braccio.My arm hurts.This sentence is useful for expressing that your braccio hurts.Tatoeba #3321213 by Guybrush88, translation #1369200 by sacredceltic
- Le presi il braccio.I took her arm.This sentence is useful for describing taking someone's braccio.Tatoeba #823561 by Guybrush88, translation #261322 by CK
- Lui alzò il braccio.He raised his arm.This sentence is useful for describing raising one's braccio.Tatoeba #1505561 by Guybrush88, translation #299198 by CK
- Ho un livido sul braccio.I have a bruise on my arm.
- Mi sono rotto il braccio.I broke my arm.
- La struttura dell'arto superiore umano è complessa.The structure of the human upper limb is complex.
- Ho trattenuto il cane con il braccio sinistro.I held the dog with my left arm.
- 235 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Matteo are at the gym.
- GiuliaMatteo, ti sei fatto male il braccio?Matteo, did you hurt your arm?
- MatteoSì, mi fa male il braccio sinistro.Yes, my left arm hurts.
- GiuliaDevi riposare quel braccio.You need to rest that arm.
- MatteoHai ragione, Giulia, lo farò.You are right, Giulia, I will.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “arm” translations and entries braccio, membro, arto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
