portiere
/porˈtjɛ.re/
The English word goalie is translated into Italian as portiere.
In a sports context, portiere refers to a goalkeeper or goalie, particularly in football (soccer). However, be aware that portiere is also the standard Italian word for a doorman or a porter in a building.
Meaning: colloquial form of goalkeeper or goaltender (noun)
Which one should you use?
While portiere is the standard term for a goalkeeper, it is also used to describe a building porter or doorman.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular form is portiere and the masculine plural is portieri. To refer to a female goalie, use the feminine form portiera, which has the feminine plural form portiere.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable: /porˈtjɛ.re/.
Did you know?
- The word portiere shares the exact same root as the word for a building's doorman. It comes from the Latin 'porta', meaning 'door', as a goalie is seen as the 'gatekeeper' of the net.
- In Italian, the word portiere is used for the goalkeeper in almost every team sport, including football, handball and water polo.
- Because portiere means both 'goalie' and 'doorman', an Italian speaker might jokingly call a building's concierge the 'goalie' of the apartment block.
Examples in context
- Chi è il portiere?Who's the goalie?This sentence is useful for asking who the goalie is using portiere.Tatoeba #9723481 by Guybrush88, translation #9546922 by DJ_Saidez
- Ziri vuole essere il portiere.Ziri wants to be the goalie.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to be the goalie using portiere.Tatoeba #10247805 by Guybrush88, translation #10225894 by Amastan
- Il portiere ha effettuato una parata straordinaria durante la partita!The goalie made an extraordinary save during the match!
- Che ne pensi dell'operato dell' estremo difensore? Ha reso la squadra più solida in difesa.What do you think about the performance of the goalkeeper? He made the team more solid in defense.
- Il portiere è stato bravissimo oggi.The goalie was great today.
Example conversation
Giulia and Alessandro are deciding positions for a soccer game.
- GiuliaAlessandro, vuoi fare il portiere oggi?Alessandro, do you want to be the goalie today?
- AlessandroNo, preferisco giocare in attacco.No, I prefer to play as a forward.
- GiuliaAllora farò io il portiere.Then I will be the goalie.
- AlessandroOttimo, sei bravissima Giulia!Great, you are very good, Giulia!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry portiere, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries portiere, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
