Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| colletto | /kolˈlet.to/ | masculine |
| bavero | masculine | |
| bavera | feminine | |
| collo | /ˈkɔl.lo/ | masculine |
The term for a collar in Italian is used to describe the part of a garment that fits around the throat. Specific styles include colletto rigido (stiff collar), colletto a punta (pointed collar) and colletto alla coreana (Mandarin collar).
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on whether you are talking about anatomy or a specific part of clothing. Use collo to refer to the anatomical neck of a person. Use colletto to refer to the small, functional collar of a shirt or other garment. If you are referring specifically to the lapel of a jacket or coat, use bavero (masculine) or bavera (feminine).
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of the masculine colletto is colletti. The plural of the masculine bavero is baveri.
How do you pronounce it?
/kolˈlet.to/
Did you know?
- The word bavero for a jacket lapel is related to the word bava, which means 'drool' or 'saliva'.
- The phrase colletto alla coreana refers to a Mandarin collar, with coreana meaning 'Korean'.
- The Italian word colletto is a diminutive form of collo, effectively meaning 'little neck'.
Examples in context
- Mi afferrò per il colletto.He grabbed me by the collar.This sentence is useful for showing how to use colletto when describing being grabbed by a piece of clothing.Tatoeba #3251530 by Guybrush88, translation #297814 by CK
- Mi piace come il colletto di quella giacca è rifinito.I like how the collar of that jacket is finished.
- Assicurati di stirare bene il colletto della camicia.Make sure to iron the shirt collar properly.
- Mi hai appena strappato il bottone del collo della camicia!You just ripped the button off my shirt collar!
- Il colletto della camicia è sporco.The shirt collar is dirty.
- Mi piace molto quel colletto bianco.I really like that white collar.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia is helping Alessandro get ready for a dinner party.
- AlessandroGiulia, come mi sta questa camicia?Giulia, how does this shirt look on me?
- GiuliaVa bene, ma il colletto è un po' storto.It is fine, but the collar is a bit crooked.
- AlessandroPuoi sistemarlo tu, per favore?Can you fix it for me, please?
- GiuliaCerto, ecco fatto, ora è perfetto.Of course, there, now it is perfect.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “collar” translations and entries colletto, bavero, collo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
