emporio
/emˈpɔ.rjo/
The English phrase "general store" is translated into Italian as emporio.
An emporio is a store that sells a large variety of useful things.
Meaning: a store which sells a large variety of useful things (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, particularly in Tuscany and Central Italy, the term Bottega is used as an informal way to refer to a small shop that sells a variety of goods.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of emporio is empori.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /emˈpɔ.rjo/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- While emporio describes the store, the word bottega also refers to the historical artist studios of the Renaissance where masters taught apprentices.
- In modern Italy, the term emporio is often used in the names of luxury boutiques or high-end specialty shops rather than humble village stores.
- The word bottega shares a root with the English word 'boutique' through their common French ancestor.
Example conversation
Giulia and Matteo are walking through a small town.
- GiuliaMatteo, abbiamo bisogno di diverse cose per il viaggio.Matteo, we need several things for the trip.
- MatteoC'è un emporio proprio dietro l'angolo.There is a general store right around the corner.
- GiuliaOttimo, vendono anche le mappe?Great, do they sell maps too?
- MatteoSì, in quell'emporio trovi di tutto.Yes, you can find everything in that general store.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry emporio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
