stima
/ˈsti.ma/
The Italian word for estimate is stima.
The noun stima refers to a rough calculation or assessment. When you want to use the verb form meaning to calculate something roughly, use stimare.
Meaning: (construction and business) a document specifying how much a job will probably cost (noun)
Which one should you use?
While stima refers to a rough calculation or assessment, preventivo is the specific term used in business for a formal, written quote or detailed cost estimate provided to a client.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of stima is stime.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsti.ma/. The word has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- While stima means an estimate, it is also the standard word for 'esteem' or 'appreciation' for a person. You might say you have stima for a colleague to indicate respect.
- The word stima shares a common root with the English word 'esteem'. Both trace back to the Latin 'aestimare', meaning to value or appraise.
- When an estimate is significantly higher than expected, Italians might describe the cost as fuori scala, meaning 'off the scale'.
Examples in context
- La stima è stata uno shock totale!The estimate was a complete shock!This sentence shows how a surprising stima might be received.Tatoeba #4904006 by Guybrush88, translation #682016 by Source_VOA
- Prova a stimare quanto spendi in libri.Try to estimate how much you spent on books.This sentence uses the verb form of stima to suggest a rough calculation.Tatoeba #373664 by Pharamp, translation #17974 by Zifre
- Il costo effettivo era superiore alla stima.The actual cost was higher than the estimate.This sentence illustrates a comparison between an actual cost and a stima.Tatoeba #3779922 by Guybrush88, translation #265224 by CM
- Posso stimare il costo?Can I estimate the cost?
- Mi può fare un preventivo per…?Can you give me an estimate for…?
- Quanto mi verrà a costare…?How much will it cost me…?
- Potrebbe darmi un'idea di quanto costa…?Could you give me an idea of how much…?
- Mi sembra che dovrebbe costare intorno a…It seems to me that it should cost around…
- Secondo la mia stima, il prezzo sarà…According to my estimate, the price will be…
- A occhio, direi che costa…Roughly, I would say it costs…
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina and Francesco are discussing home renovations.
- MartinaHai già ricevuto la stima per i lavori?Have you already received the estimate for the work?
- FrancescoSì, l'ho ricevuta ieri mattina.Yes, I received it yesterday morning.
- MartinaLa stima è alta o accettabile?Is the estimate high or acceptable?
- FrancescoÈ un po' più alta del previsto.It is a bit higher than expected.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry stima, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries stima, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
