Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| barca | /ˈbar.ka/ | feminine |
| nave | /ˈna.ve/ | feminine |
| battello | /batˈtɛl.lo/ | masculine |
| schifo | /ˈski.fo/ | masculine |
| lancia | /ˈlan.t͡ʃa/ | feminine |
| natante | /naˈtan.te/ | masculine |
Italian uses different words for watercraft depending on the size and type of the vessel. While barca is a general term for recreational or small boats, more specific terms like Canoa (canoe) or Kayak (kayak) are used for those specific types of craft.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the scale of the vessel: barca is used for small, recreational or general-purpose boats. battello is used for medium-sized vessels that are larger than a simple barca but smaller than a nave. And nave is reserved for large vessels such as ocean liners or large naval ships.
How does it change in a sentence?
The nouns change form based on gender and number: the feminine noun barca becomes barche in the plural. The feminine noun nave becomes navi in the plural. And the masculine noun battello becomes battelli in the plural.
How do you pronounce it?
The word barca is pronounced /ˈbar.ka/ with the stress on the first of two syllables.
Did you know?
- The Italian word schifo can refer to a small boat, but it is more commonly used to express 'disgust' or 'revolt' in everyday conversation.
- The word barca may actually trace its roots back to Ancient Egyptian, originating from the word bꜣjr meaning 'transport ship'.
- In Italian, calling a vessel a barca instead of a nave is not just about size but often about its destination, as nave implies ocean-crossing capabilities.
Examples in context
- Io ho una barca.I have a boat.This sentence shows how to express possession of a barca.Tatoeba #5829283 by Guybrush88, translation #5829220 by CK
- La barca è piena.The boat is full.This sentence describes the state of a barca being full.Tatoeba #14037152 by Guybrush88, translation #8910508 by sundown
- La barca è persa.The boat is lost.This sentence describes a barca that has been lost.Tatoeba #14037173 by Guybrush88, translation #266406 by timur_seber
- L'imbarcazione è pronta per salpare.The boat is ready to set sail.
- Mi piacerebbe acquistare un'ampia imbarcazione.I would like to buy a spacious boat.
- Vado a pescare con la mia barca domani.I'm going fishing with my boat tomorrow.
- La sua barca è piccola ma veloce.His boat is small but fast.
- 293 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Alessandro are at the harbor looking at the water.
- ChiaraGuarda quella barca bianca!Look at that white boat!
- AlessandroSì, la barca è bellissima.Yes, the boat is beautiful.
- ChiaraAlessandro, possiamo noleggiarla?Alessandro, can we rent it?
- AlessandroControlliamo il prezzo subito.Let's check the price immediately.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “boat” translations and entries barca, nave, battello, schifo, lancia, natante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries barca, battello, nave, schifo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
