When traveling to Italy, it’s always helpful to know how to say basic terms and phrases in the local language. Whether you’re relaxing on the Amalfi Coast, exploring the historic streets of Rome, or having a beach vacation in Sicily, you may find yourself needing to talk about bathing suits at some point. In this guide, we will explore how to say “bathing suit” in Italian, including both formal and informal ways. We will also provide you with some regional variations, if necessary.
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Formal Way: Costume da Bagno
The formal way to say “bathing suit” in Italian is “costume da bagno.” This term is commonly used throughout Italy and can be easily understood by Italians from different regions. If you’re in a formal setting or talking to someone you don’t know well, using “costume da bagno” is the best choice. Here are a few examples:
“Mi serve un nuovo costume da bagno per le vacanze in Italia.”
(I need a new bathing suit for my vacation in Italy.)
“Puoi consigliarmi un negozio dove posso trovare costumi da bagno di buona qualità?”
(Can you recommend a store where I can find good quality bathing suits?)
Informal Ways: Variations and Slang
When in a more informal setting or among friends, you might come across different variations and slang terms for “bathing suit.” Here are a few examples:
- Costume: Italians often drop the “da bagno” part and simply refer to a bathing suit as a “costume.” This is commonly used in casual conversations and can be understood throughout Italy.
- Costumino: This is a diminutive form of “costume” and is used to refer to a small or cute bathing suit, especially for children.
- Bikini: Like in many other countries, Italians also use the term “bikini” to refer to a two-piece bathing suit. This term is widely known and used, especially among younger generations.
Remember, slang terms can vary across different regions, but these examples should be understood throughout Italy. Here are some sentences using these informal ways:
“Preferisco i costumi interi invece dei bikini.”
(I prefer one-piece bathing suits instead of bikinis.)
“Ho comprato un costumino carino per mio nipote.”
(I bought a cute bathing suit for my nephew.)
Regional Variations
While the formal and informal ways mentioned above are widely understood, it’s interesting to note some regional variations for “bathing suit” in Italy:
- Pezzo intero (Northern regions): In some parts of Northern Italy, especially around Milan, you might hear the term “pezzo intero” used instead of “costume da bagno” to refer to a one-piece bathing suit.
- Pezzo sopra and pezzo sotto (Southern regions): In Southern regions, such as Sicily, people sometimes refer to a bathing suit as “pezzo sopra” (top piece) for the upper part and “pezzo sotto” (bottom piece) for the lower part.
Although understanding these regional variations can be interesting and fun, they are not essential for everyday communication in Italy. The formal and informal ways mentioned earlier should be sufficient for most situations.
Now that you know how to say “bathing suit” in Italian, you’ll be able to confidently communicate your needs while enjoying the beautiful beaches of Italy. Remember to have fun and soak up the sun while using your newly learned Italian language skills!
