di sotto
/di ˈsot.to/word by word
The English word 'downstairs' is translated into Italian as di sotto. Wiktionary also lists giù.
Meaning: downstairs (adverb) (adv)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| di sotto | /di ˈsot.to/ (word by word) |
| giù | /ˈd͡ʒu/ |
The phrase is primarily used as an adverb to indicate that something or someone is on a lower floor or level of a building. In certain contexts, both giù and di sotto can also function as nouns referring to the genitalia.
Which one should you use?
While di sotto specifically means 'downstairs' (referring to a lower floor or level), giù is a more general term meaning 'down' or 'downwards'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /di ˈsot.to/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- While di sotto describes a lower floor, the word giù is used more broadly to mean 'down' in any context, such as referring to the south of Italy.
- The term di sotto shares a common structural ancestor with the French dessous and the Romanian dedesubt.
- In Italian, the distinction between giù and di sotto is based on whether you are describing a movement or a static location.
Examples in context
- Tom è di sotto.Tom's downstairs.This sentence shows how to use di sotto to state someone's location.Tatoeba #2190515 by Guybrush88, translation #2107493 by CK
- Io sono di sotto.I'm downstairs.This sentence shows how to use di sotto to state your own location.Tatoeba #4514527 by Guybrush88, translation #2111738 by CK
- È di sotto, vero?He's downstairs, isn't he?This sentence shows how to use di sotto in a question to confirm someone's location.Tatoeba #8694549 by Guybrush88, translation #8526952 by CH
- Marco è giù nel suo ufficio, vai a chiamarlo.Marco is downstairs in his office, go call him.
- 96 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro is looking for Martina in a two-story house.
- AlessandroMartina, dove sei?Martina, where are you?
- MartinaSono di sotto in cucina.I am downstairs in the kitchen.
- AlessandroArrivo subito di sotto.I'm coming downstairs right away.
- MartinaVa bene, ti aspetto!All right, I'll wait for you!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “downstairs” translations and entries di sotto, giù, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (di, sotto) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries di, di sotto, giù, sotto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
