maniglia
/maˈniʎ.ʎa/
The Italian word for doorknob is maniglia.
maniglia is used to refer to a handle or device attached to a door that allows it to be opened.
Meaning: circular device attached to a door, the rotation of which permits the unlatching of a door (noun)
Which one should you use?
While maniglia is a general term for a door handle, the word pomello specifically refers to a small, round knob.
How does it change in a sentence?
maniglia is a feminine noun. The plural form of maniglia is maniglie.
How do you pronounce it?
/maˈniʎ.ʎa/. The stress is on the second of the three syllables.
Did you know?
- Because maniglia is often a lever rather than a knob in Italy, you will rarely see the round 'pomello' style in modern Italian homes.
- The word maniglia was borrowed from the Spanish word manilla.
- In some contexts, maniglia can refer to the handle of a tool, like a hammer, blurring the line between a door fixture and a hand tool.
Examples in context
- Tom armeggiò con la maniglia della porta.Tom fumbled with the doorknob.This sentence shows how to use maniglia when describing fumbling with a doorknob.Tatoeba #3743908 by Guybrush88, translation #3721355 by CM
- Scusi, potrebbe indicarmi dov'è la maniglia della porta?Excuse me, could you show me where the doorknob is?
- Vieni in cucina, il pomello della porta è rotto!Come to the kitchen, the doorknob is broken!
- La maniglia è molto fredda.The doorknob is very cold.
- Abbiamo dovuto cambiare la maniglia.We had to change the doorknob.
Example conversation
Sofia and Lorenzo are trying to enter a room.
- SofiaLorenzo, prova a girare la maniglia.Lorenzo, try turning the doorknob.
- LorenzoLa maniglia non si muove.The doorknob won't move.
- SofiaForse la porta è chiusa a chiave.Maybe the door is locked.
- LorenzoSì, è proprio bloccata.Yes, it is really stuck.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry maniglia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries maniglia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
