Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| scomparire | /skom.paˈri.re/ |
| sparire | /spaˈri.re/ |
| svanire | /zvaˈni.re/ |
The general and most common way to say to disappear is sparire. If you want to emphasize that someone or something has vanished unexpectedly or mysteriously, use scomparire. For a gradual, almost imperceptible disappearance, use sfumare. If you want to depict a sudden and forceful disappearance, you can use the phrase spazzare via. Colloquially, volatilizzarsi is used to express that someone or something has vanished quickly or unexpectedly.
What does it mean word for word?
The word scomparire is built from the prefix s-, which indicates reversal or completion and comparire, meaning to appear.
Which one should you use?
While sparire is the most common and general term, scomparire is a more formal or standard option. For a more literary or poetic sense, such as a scent or a memory fading away, use svanire.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both scomparire and sparire are intransitive verbs and use the auxiliary verb essere to form compound tenses, such as è scomparso or è sparito.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of scomparire is /skom.paˈri.re/. It has 4 syllables and the stress is on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- The Italian word comparire (to appear) shares its root with the English word 'compare', as both originally referred to the act of coming face to face.
- While sparire is the general term, scomparire is often used as a euphemism for death, implying a person has vanished from the earthly plane.
- The word svanire descends from the Latin ēvānēscō, which is the direct ancestor of the English word 'evanesce'.
Examples in context
- Io voglio solo scomparire.I just want to disappear.This sentence is useful for expressing a personal desire to vanish using scomparire.Tatoeba #7422163 by Guybrush88, translation #2342587 by Hybrid
- Voglio scomparire da questo mondo.I want to disappear from this world.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to leave the world using scomparire.Tatoeba #6885182 by dnnywld, translation #10325756 by LimeGreenTeknii
- Potrei scomparire in qualsiasi momento.I could disappear at any time.This sentence is useful for expressing the possibility of vanishing at any time using scomparire.Tatoeba #7915355 by Guybrush88, translation #7844509 by sharris123
- Il mago è scomparso nel nullaThe magician disappeared into thin air
- I suoi sogni si evaporaronoHis dreams disappeared
- Si è volatilizzato!He/She disappeared!
- I suoi ricordi si sono sfumatiHis memories faded away
- La tempesta ha spazzato via tuttoThe storm swept everything away
- La mia penna è sparita nel nulla.My pen disappeared into thin air.
- I turisti si sono volatilizzati quando hanno visto il prezzo del biglietto.The tourists disappeared when they saw the price of the ticket.
- I problemi non possono essere spazzati via senza affrontarli.Problems cannot be swept away without facing them.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Lorenzo are looking for a lost cat in the garden.
- ChiaraLorenzo, hai visto il gatto?Lorenzo, have you seen the cat?
- LorenzoSì, ma è riuscito a scomparire di nuovo.Yes, but he managed to disappear again.
- ChiaraDove può essere andato?Where could he have gone?
- LorenzoNon lo so, è veloce a scomparire.I don't know, he is quick to disappear.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “disappear” translations and entries scomparire, sparire, svanire, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries scomparire, sparire, svanire, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
