seminterrato
masculine
The English word basement is seminterrato or scantinato in Italian.
Meaning: floor below ground level (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| seminterrato | masculine | |
| scantinato | /skan.tiˈna.to/ | masculine |
Both terms refer to a floor located below ground level.
What does it mean word for word?
The word seminterrato is composed of the prefix semi- (half) and interrato (underground or buried), literally meaning "semi-underground".
Which one should you use?
scantinato is a general term for a basement or cellar. In contrast, seminterrato often implies a level that is only partially below ground level, similar to a semi-basement.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing the phrase "in the basement" with scantinato, the preposition in combines with the masculine article lo to form the articulated preposition nello.
Did you know?
- In many Italian cities, the seminterrato is used as a commercial space for shops and boutiques, where the entrance is just a few steps below the sidewalk.
- The term seminterrato contains the same root as the English word 'interment', which refers to the act of burying a body.
- The word scantinato is derived from scantinare, which means to clear out or empty a cellar.
Examples in context
- Tom è nello scantinato.Tom is in the basement.The sentence is useful for saying that Tom is in the scantinato.Tatoeba #5664195 by Guybrush88, translation #2546416 by CK
- È nel seminterrato, vero?He's in the basement, isn't he?The sentence is useful for asking for confirmation that someone is in the seminterrato.Tatoeba #8729563 by Guybrush88, translation #8528499 by CH
- Perché è nel seminterrato?Why are you in the basement?The sentence is useful for asking the reason someone is in the seminterrato.Tatoeba #8010818 by Guybrush88, translation #7733329 by CK
- La lavanderia è nel seminterratoThe laundry room is in the basement
- Ho dimenticato la scatola di Natale in cantinaI forgot the Christmas box in the basement
- Ho trovato un vecchio album fotografico nel sottoscalaI found an old photo album in the basement
- 40 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Giulia are looking for a box in the house.
- MatteoHai visto la scatola in garage?Did you see the box in the garage?
- GiuliaNo, forse è nel seminterrato.No, maybe it is in the basement.
- MatteoAndiamo a controllare subito.Let's go check right away.
- GiuliaSì, scendiamo giù.Yes, let's go down.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “basement” translations and entries seminterrato, scantinato, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries seminterrato, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
