parole di base
/paˈrɔ.le di ˈba.ze/word by word
The English phrase "basic words" is parole di base in Italian.
This phrase refers to the most essential and common words required to communicate in a language.
Which one should you use?
While parole di base is a common way to express this, you can also use the adjective parole basilari to mean the same thing.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of this phrase is parola di base. You can also use the adjective basilari as an alternative to the prepositional phrase di base when describing words.
How do you pronounce it?
/paˈrɔ.le di ˈba.ze/. The word has 5 syllables and the stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word parola is also used in Italian to mean a 'promise', as in the expression dare la parola, which literally means to 'give one's word'.
- The word base entered Italian via the Latin 'basis', which originally came from the Ancient Greek word 'básis' meaning a step or a pedestal.
- In Italian, the word parola is used for both 'word' and 'speech', meaning the same root covers the smallest unit of language and the act of talking itself.
Examples in context
- Anche se ci sono così tante frasi in inglese su Tatoeba, la maggior parte di loro riciclano le stesse parole di base, mentre le parole più complesse rimangono senza rappresentanza.Although there are so many English sentences on Tatoeba, most of them recycle the same basic words, whereas more complex words remain unrepresented.This sentence is useful for illustrating how many sentences on Tatoeba use the same parole di base.Tatoeba #4400851 by Guybrush88, translation #4400848 by Lepotdeterre
- Devi imparare prima le parole di base.You must learn the basic words first.
- Il libro contiene solo parole di base.The book contains only basic words.
Example conversation
Francesco and Sofia are discussing a new language course.
- FrancescoSofia, hai iniziato il corso di spagnolo?Sofia, have you started the Spanish course?
- SofiaSì, stiamo studiando le parole di base.Yes, we are studying the basic words.
- FrancescoÈ difficile memorizzarle tutte?Is it difficult to memorize them all?
- SofiaNo, sono molto semplici e utili.No, they are very simple and useful.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (parole, di, base) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries base, di, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
