baratto
/baˈrat.to/
The English verb "barter" translates to Italian as baratto.
The term is used to describe the exchange of goods or services without involving money. It can function as a noun to refer to the barter system itself or as a verb form to describe the act of trading items.
Meaning: exchange goods or services without involving money (verb)
Which one should you use?
While baratto is the noun meaning "barter" or "the barter system," it also functions as a specific conjugated form of the verb. To express the concept of bartering as an action, the infinitive form is barattare. For formal or legal contexts, such as contracts involving the exchange of goods, the verb permutare is used.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The infinitive form of the verb is barattare. The word baratto can be the third-person singular present indicative or the second-person singular imperative of barattare, and it also serves as the noun for "barter".
Did you know?
- In Italian, if you are trying to get a better deal at a market, you are contrattare, which is a different concept from barattare because it still involves money.
- If someone is accused of barattare information in a legal or political context, it implies a level of corruption or shady dealing rather than a simple exchange.
- Some modern Italian cities have established Banche del Tempo or 'Time Banks', where the act of barattare is applied to hours of service rather than physical objects.
Example conversation
Giulia and Francesco are organizing their collections of old records.
- GiuliaHai dei dischi che non ascolti più?Do you have any records that you don't listen to anymore?
- FrancescoSì, ne ho molti in garage.Yes, I have many in the garage.
- GiuliaAllora facciamo un baratto con i miei!Then let's barter them with mine!
- FrancescoVa bene, d'accordo!Alright, agreed!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry baratto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
