How to Say “Compound” in Italian

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composto
/komˈpos.to/
The English word compound can be translated into Italian as composto.
In a general context, composto is a noun used to refer to a group of buildings intended for the same purpose.
Meaning: group of buildings for the same purpose (noun)

Which one should you use?

While composto is the standard term for a compound, if you are describing something as being composed of various elements, you may also use the word costituito. To express the idea of coming to an agreement, the phrases accordarsi or mettersi d'accordo are used instead of the noun.

Related words

Composed of elements (adj): composto, costituito.

To come to terms of agreement (verb): accordarsi, mettersi d'accordo.

How do you pronounce it?

The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /komˈpos.to/.

Did you know?

  • The Latin root of composto is the same as the root for the English word 'compost'. While they share a history of being 'put together', one leads to architectural terms and the other to organic matter.
  • In Italian, the word composto can also function as an adjective to describe a person who is calm, composed, and maintains excellent manners. This differs from the English noun 'compound' which refers to physical structures.
  • In Italian grammar, a 'compound tense' is called tempo composto, referring to verbs formed with an auxiliary like essere or avere.

Examples in context

  • L'acido salicilico è un composto organico.
    Salicylic acid is an organic compound.
    This sentence is useful for seeing composto used in the context of an organic compound.
    Tatoeba #4465701 by Guybrush88, translation #4465584 by mervert1
  • Il composto chimico fosgene contiene atomi di fosforo?
    Does the chemical compound phosgene contain phosphorus atoms?
    This sentence demonstrates the use of composto when asking about a chemical compound.
    Tatoeba #8834910 by jacopofar, translation #3468559 by mervert1
  • Questo è un prodotto chimico composto.
    This is a compound chemical product.
  • Questo prodotto chimico è un composto di sodio e cloro.
    This chemical product is a compound of sodium and chlorine.
  • Nella lingua italiana, ci sono molti esempi di parole composte.
    In the Italian language, there are many examples of compound words.
  • Questo complesso residenziale è un conglomerato di diverse unità abitative.
    This residential compound is a conglomerate of different housing units.

Example conversation

Giulia and Matteo are visiting a research center.

  1. Giulia

    Siamo finalmente arrivati al composto?
    Have we finally arrived at the compound?
  2. Matteo

    Sì, Giulia, ecco l'ingresso principale.
    Yes, Giulia, here is the main entrance.
  3. Giulia

    Questo composto sembra molto sicuro.
    This compound seems very secure.
  4. Matteo

    È normale per un centro di ricerca.
    It's normal for a research center.

Sources

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Darlene Diane
Darlene DianeHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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