seggiovia
/sed.d͡ʒoˈvi.a/
The English phrase "chair lift" is seggiovia in Italian.
seggiovia is used to refer to a chair lift.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of seggio (seat/chair) and via (way/path).
Which one should you use?
While seggiovia refers specifically to a chair lift, funivia is used for a cable car or gondola lift with enclosed cabins.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has four syllables with the stress on the third syllable: /sed.dʒoˈvi.a/.
Did you know?
- The seggio in seggiovia shares a root with seggio ducale, the ceremonial throne of a Doge. This gives the humble ski lift a hidden linguistic link to ancient seats of power.
- In Italian, the term impianto di risalita refers to any lift system and literally translates to 'ascent plant'.
- The word seggio shares a linguistic root with the English adjective 'sedentary'.
Examples in context
- Le seggiovie di questa stazione sciistica sono molto veloci.The chair lifts in this ski resort are very fast.
- La seggiovia è molto veloce.The chair lift is very fast.
- Dobbiamo prendere la seggiovia per salire.We need to take the chair lift to go up.
- C'è una lunga fila per la seggiovia.There is a long line for the chair lift.
Example conversation
Matteo and Sofia are at a ski resort.
- MatteoAndiamo in seggiovia?Shall we go by chair lift?
- SofiaSì, è più veloce così.Yes, it's faster this way.
- MatteoGuarda, la seggiovia è quasi vuota!Look, the chair lift is almost empty!
- SofiaOttimo, saliamo subito.Great, let's get on right away.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry seggiovia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
