cancellino
/kan.t͡ʃelˈli.no/
The English phrase "chalkboard eraser" is cancellino in Italian.
cancellino refers to a small tool used to remove chalk markings from a chalkboard.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural "chalkboard erasers", use cancellini.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has four syllables: /kan.tʃelˈli.no/. The stress is on the third syllable.
Did you know?
- The word cancellino is a diminutive of cancello, which means 'gate'.
- The verb related to this tool, cancellare, is the same word used when you 'delete' an email or a post on social media. The physical act of wiping a board and the digital act of removing data share the same root.
- In certain Italian regions, the term for a chalkboard eraser might change to spugna, which literally means 'sponge'. This depends on whether the tool used is felt or a synthetic sponge-like material.
Examples in context
- Ieri ho dimenticato la gomma per lavagna nella mia borsa.Yesterday I forgot the chalkboard eraser in my bag.
- Non riesco a trovare il cancellino, sai dov'è?I can't find the eraser, do you know where it is?
- Il cancellino è sul tavolo.The chalkboard eraser is on the table.
- Mi serve un cancellino nuovo.I need a new chalkboard eraser.
- Passami il cancellino, per favore.Pass me the chalkboard eraser, please.
Example conversation
Martina and Alessandro are cleaning a classroom.
- MartinaAlessandro, puoi prendere il cancellino?Alessandro, can you grab the chalkboard eraser?
- AlessandroCerto, è qui sopra al tavolo.Sure, it is here on the table.
- MartinaGrazie, ora posso pulire la lavagna.Thanks, now I can clean the chalkboard.
- AlessandroOttimo, finiamo presto così.Great, we will finish quickly this way.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cancellino, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cancellino, CC BY-SA 4.0.
