cadavere
/kaˈda.ve.re/masculine
The English word "corpse" is translated into Italian as cadavere. Wiktionary also lists salma.
Meaning: dead body (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cadavere | /kaˈda.ve.re/ | masculine |
| salma | /ˈsal.ma/ | feminine |
Both terms refer to a dead body.
Which one should you use?
cadavere is a masculine noun and serves as the standard, neutral or technical term for a dead body. It is frequently used in medical, legal or journalistic contexts. salma is a feminine noun.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine noun cadavere becomes cadaveri in its plural form. The feminine noun salma becomes salme in its plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaˈda.ve.re/. The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The term salma originates from the Late Latin sauma, which refers to a load carried by a pack animal.
- In Italian, calling a body a cadavere in a polite social setting can be perceived as cold or intentionally jarring.
- While cadavere is the common term for a corpse, the word cadaverico is used in Italian to describe something that is truly 'deathly' or 'ghastly' in appearance.
Examples in context
- Il cadavere squisito berrà il vino novello.The exquisite corpse will drink the new wine.This sentence shows the use of cadavere in a creative or surreal context.Tatoeba #3876822 by Guybrush88, translation #904474 by Scott
- Non ci sono segni di trauma sul cadavere di Tom.There are no signs of trauma on Tom's corpse.This sentence demonstrates how to use cadavere when discussing physical trauma.Tatoeba #2056395 by Guybrush88, translation #1566959 by corvard
- La ricerca del cadavere non ha prodotto alcun risultato.The search for the corpse yielded no results.This sentence illustrates how to use cadavere when discussing a search.Tatoeba #11539267 by Nuel, translation #11539239 by Nuel
- Dopo l'incidente, gli investigatori hanno trovato il cadavere della vittima.After the accident, the investigators found the victim's corpse.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A detective and a forensic specialist discuss a crime scene.
- AlessandroHanno trovato il cadavere nel bosco.They found the corpse in the woods.
- MartinaIl cadavere sembra essere molto vecchio.The corpse looks very old.
- AlessandroDevo esaminare il cadavere con attenzione.I must examine the corpse carefully.
- MartinaAlessandro, porta subito il medico legale.Alessandro, bring the forensic doctor immediately.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “corpse” translations and entries cadavere, salma, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cadavere, salma, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
