pulire
/puˈli.re/
To clean in Italian is pulire. Wiktionary also lists nettare.
Meaning: (transitive) to remove dirt from a place or object (verb)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| pulire | /puˈli.re/ |
| nettare | /netˈta.re/ |
The verb pulire is used to describe the transitive action of removing dirt from a place or an object.
Which one should you use?
pulire refers to the action of cleaning, whereas pulito is the adjective used to describe the state of being clean.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Southern Italy, specifically in Sicily and Calabria, you may encounter the form pulitu instead of the standard pulito.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables and is pronounced /puˈli.re/. The stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The expression fare pulizia can mean cleaning a room, but it is also used metaphorically to describe a 'purge' or a mass firing of employees in an organization.
- The verb nettare is linked to the word 'nectar' in English, as both stem from the same ancient roots describing a substance that overcomes death.
- The term pulire is used in Italian sports, particularly football, to describe a defender 'clearing' the ball from the danger zone.
Examples in context
- Devo pulire la casa.I have to clean the house.This sentence demonstrates the use of pulire regarding a house.Tatoeba #4142898 by Guybrush88, translation #3618928 by CK
- Devo pulire il bagno.I have to clean the bathroom.This sentence demonstrates the use of pulire regarding a bathroom.Tatoeba #6945347 by Guybrush88, translation #6944262 by CK
- Può pulire la cucina?Can you clean the kitchen?This sentence demonstrates the use of pulire in a request to clean a kitchen.Tatoeba #13313548 by Guybrush88, translation #6713388 by Eccles17
- La casa è pulita.The house is clean.
- Il pavimento è pulito e lucido.The floor is clean and shiny.
- Oggi mi sento pulito e fresco.Today I feel clean and fresh.
- È importante tenere le mani pulite.It is important to keep your hands clean.
- 227 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Matteo are preparing for a guest at home.
- ChiaraMatteo, devi pulire il soggiorno.Matteo, you have to clean the living room.
- MatteoLo pulisco subito, Chiara.I will clean it right away, Chiara.
- ChiaraGrazie, io pulisco la veranda.Thanks, I will clean the veranda.
- MatteoOttimo, così finiamo presto.Great, that way we'll finish soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clean” translations and entries pulire, nettare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nettare, pulire, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
