calibro
/ˈka.li.bro/masculine
The English word gauge can be translated into Italian as calibro. Wiktionary also lists unità di misura and strumento di misura.
Meaning: a measure, a standard of measure, an instrument to determine dimensions, distance, or capacity, a standard (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| calibro | /ˈka.li.bro/ | masculine |
| unità di misura | feminine | |
| strumento di misura | masculine |
Use calibro for specific dimensions like thickness or diameter, or use strumento di misura when referring to a physical measuring instrument. For a rain gauge specifically, the word is pluviometro.
Which one should you use?
Use calibro in technical contexts when referring specifically to the diameter of a bore, such as a bullet or the thickness of a wire or tool. Use strumento di misura when you are referring generally to the physical device or apparatus used to perform a measurement.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of calibro is calibri. The phrase unità di misura is invariable in number, meaning the plural is also unità di misura.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the term calibro is used not only for technical tools but also metaphorically to describe the importance or 'weight' of a person's character or intellect.
- One theory suggests that calibro is a corruption of the Latin phrase qua libra, meaning 'of what dimensions, weight'.
- In a musical context, misura refers to a 'bar' or 'measure', showing that the concept of 'gauge' extends to the measurement of time and rhythm.
Examples in context
- Controlla l'indicatore del carburante.Check the fuel gauge.
- Misuratore di pressione atmosfericaAtmospheric pressure gauge
- Misuratore di temperaturaTemperature gauge
- Questo tubo ha un calibro piccolo.This tube has a small gauge.
- Il calibro del filo è costante.The gauge of the wire is constant.
- Devo controllare il calibro di questo metallo.I need to check the gauge of this metal.
Example conversation
Sofia and Matteo are working together in a mechanical workshop.
- SofiaMatteo, mi passi il calibro per favore?Matteo, can you pass me the gauge please?
- MatteoEcco qui, Sofia. Cosa devi misurare?Here it is, Sofia. What do you need to measure?
- SofiaDevo verificare se il calibro è corretto.I need to verify if the gauge is correct.
- MatteoVa bene, fammi sapere il risultato.All right, let me know the result.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gauge” translations and entries calibro, unità di misura, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries calibro, di, misura, strumento, unità, CC BY-SA 4.0.
