basilico
/baˈzi.li.ko/masculine
The English word basil is translated into Italian as basilico.
basilico is a masculine noun referring to the culinary herb basil.
Meaning: herb (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Naples, the term Foglia di Basilico is used to mean basil leaf.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to an unspecified amount of basil in a recipe or a request, use the partitive article del (some) rather than just the noun, such as in the phrase del basilico.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable: /baˈzi.li.ko/.
Did you know?
- The name basilico is linguistically related to the word basilica, the large churches often used for royal or state ceremonies.
- In some regional Italian superstitions, basilico is believed to wilt quickly if it is looked at with envy or hatred.
- In some historical Italian beliefs, planting basilico near the entrance of a home was thought to ward off the 'malocchio' or evil eye.
Examples in context
- Metti un po' di basilico sulla pizza.Put some basil on the pizza.This sentence shows how to suggest putting basil on pizza using basilico.Tatoeba #5357457 by Guybrush88, translation #5357063 by Hybrid
- Non scordi di aggiungere il basilico.Don't forget to add basil.This sentence uses basilico to remind someone to add the herb.Tatoeba #10912624 by Guybrush88, translation #10908851 by CM
- Vorresti del basilico sui tuoi spaghetti?Would you like basil on your spaghetti?This sentence uses basilico to ask if someone wants the herb on their spaghetti.Tatoeba #7017674 by Guybrush88, translation #6601904 by Eccles17
- Mi piace mettere l'erba di Santa Maria sulle pizze che preparo a casa.I like putting basil on the pizzas I make at home.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Chiara are cooking dinner together.
- AlessandroChiara, abbiamo il basilico in giardino?Chiara, do we have basil in the garden?
- ChiaraSì, puoi raccogliere qualche foglia.Yes, you can pick a few leaves.
- AlessandroPerfetto, il basilico sta bene con il pomodoro.Perfect, basil goes well with tomato.
- ChiaraHai ragione, sarà buonissimo!You are right, it will be delicious!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “basil” translations and entries basilico, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
