Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bici | /ˈbi.t͡ʃi/ | feminine, slang |
| bicicletta | /bi.t͡ʃiˈklet.ta/ | feminine |
The term refers to a bicycle. To describe the action of riding a bike, you can use the verb pedalare (to pedal) or the phrase andare in bicicletta (to go cycling). If you are riding around aimlessly, you might say girare in bicicletta (to ride around on a bike), whereas passeggiare in bici is used to mean going for a bike ride.
Which one should you use?
bicicletta is the full, standard word for bicycle, while bici is a colloquial shortening, much like the English difference between 'bicycle' and 'bike'. Additionally, biciclettina can be used in an affectionate or playful manner to refer to a bike.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
bicicletta is the formal or standard form. bici is an informal, slang shortening used in everyday conversation.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Both bici and bicicletta are feminine nouns and require feminine articles such as una or la. When making the words plural, the shortened form becomes le bici and the full form becomes le biciclette.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of bici is /ˈbi.tʃi/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word bicicletta was borrowed from the French word 'bicyclette' rather than being developed natively from Latin roots in Italy.
- The term bicicletta is central to the 'Ladri di biciclette' (Bicycle Thieves), a world-famous Neorealist film that uses a stolen bike to symbolize the desperation of post-war Italy.
- Unlike English, where 'bike' can refer to either a bicycle or a motorcycle, bici in Italian refers strictly to a bicycle.
Examples in context
- Io ho una bici.I have a bike.This sentence is useful for stating that you own a bici.Tatoeba #5829279 by Guybrush88, translation #5829218 by CK
- Lei ha una bici.She has a bike.This sentence is useful for stating that she owns a bici.Tatoeba #2943985 by Guybrush88, translation #1548367 by CM
- Di chi è la bici?Whose bike is it?This sentence is useful for asking about the ownership of a bici.Tatoeba #4517106 by Guybrush88, translation #4495204 by CK
- Marco ha comprato una nuova bicicletta.Marco bought a new bike.
- Oggi ho preso la mia bici per una pedalata lungo il fiume.Today, I took my bike for a ride along the river.
- La biciclettina di mia nipote è così adorabile!My niece's bike is so adorable!
- 255 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Lorenzo are talking in a park.
- SofiaHai portato la bici oggi?Did you bring your bike today?
- LorenzoSì, la mia bici è qui.Yes, my bike is here.
- SofiaÈ una bici molto bella.It is a very beautiful bike.
- LorenzoGrazie, Sofia.Thanks, Sofia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bike” translations and entries bici, bicicletta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bici, bicicletta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
