Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| asciutto | /aʃˈʃut.to/ |
| secco | /ˈsek.ko/ |
Both terms describe being free from liquid or moisture. While they are often interchangeable, they are used in different contexts depending on the nature of the dryness.
Which one should you use?
secco is typically used for things that are naturally dry, parched or lacking moisture. This includes descriptions of dry wine, dry bread or a dry climate. asciutto is more commonly used for things that were once wet but are now dry, such as clothes or hair.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Southern Italy, particularly in Calabria and Sicily, the form siccu may be used as an informal way to say dry.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, both forms must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. secco becomes secco, secca, secchi or secche. asciutto becomes asciutto, asciutta, asciutti or asciutte.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /aʃˈʃut.to/. It has three syllables, and the stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The phrase a secco is used in Italian to describe being completely out of money, similar to the English 'broke'.
- If an Italian describes a person as secco, they are not talking about moisture but are calling the person thin or skinny.
- The word asciutto is built from the Latin *exsūgō*, which literally means to 'suck out' the moisture.
Examples in context
- Lo lavi a secco.Dry clean it.This sentence shows how to use secco in the context of dry cleaning.Tatoeba #7915374 by Guybrush88, translation #7779320 by sharris123
- Mi piace il vino secco.I like dry wine.This sentence demonstrates the use of secco when describing wine.Tatoeba #12305842 by Guybrush88, translation #12304635 by Miktsoanit
- Il pane è secco, l'acqua è fredda.Bread is dry, water is cold.This sentence illustrates how secco describes the state of bread.Tatoeba #11095907 by Guybrush88, translation #8598903 by ichawiyen
- È una giornata calda oggi, e i miei vestiti sono completamente asciutti.It's a hot day today, and my clothes are completely dry.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Sofia are folding laundry in the living room.
- AlessandroÈ già asciutto questo maglione?Is this sweater already dry?
- SofiaSì, è completamente asciutto.Yes, it is completely dry.
- AlessandroOttimo, allora lo posso mettere via.Great, then I can put it away.
- SofiaAspetta, controlla bene se è asciutto.Wait, check carefully if it is dry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dry” translations and entries asciutto, secco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries asciutto, secco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
