scala mobile
/ˈska.la ˈmɔ.bi.le/word by word
The Italian word for escalator is scala mobile.
scala mobile refers to a mechanical device.
Meaning: mechanical device (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of scala (staircase) and mobile (moving/mobile).
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of scala mobile is scale mobili. Because scala is a feminine noun, the definite article used for 'of the' is della (di + la).
Did you know?
- In Italian, scala can also refer to a ladder, meaning a single word covers both a fixed architectural staircase and a portable tool.
- In Italian music, the word scala is used to describe a musical scale, which is viewed as a ladder of notes ascending or descending in pitch.
- The Latin root of scala also gave rise to the English word 'scale', as in a scale of measurements, because both involve a sequence or a series of steps.
Examples in context
- La scala mobile è rotta.The escalator is broken.Tatoeba #7740054 by Guybrush88, translation #7737792 by CK
- Dobbiamo prendere le scale mobili per arrivare al piano superiore.We have to take the escalator to reach the upper floor.
- Sai dove si trovano le scale automatiche in questa stazione?Do you know where the escalators are in this station?
- Prendi la scala mobile per salire.Take the escalator to go up.
- C'è una scala mobile in questo centro commerciale.There is an escalator in this shopping mall.
Example conversation
Giulia and Matteo are at a train station.
- GiuliaDove si trova la scala mobile?Where is the escalator?
- MatteoÈ proprio lì, a destra.It is right there, on the right.
- GiuliaGrazie, Matteo.Thanks, Matteo.
- MatteoPrego, Giulia.You're welcome, Giulia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “escalator” translations and entries scala mobile, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (scala, mobile) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mobile, scala, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
