Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| amaca | /aˈma.ka/ | feminine |
| branda |
The word refers to a swinging couch or bed. You can specify the type of hammock by adding descriptors: amaca da campeggio is a camping hammock and amaca a corda is a rope hammock.
Which one should you use?
amaca refers to a standard leisure hammock, whereas branda refers to a military-style or makeshift canvas bed/hammock used for camping or survival.
How does it change in a sentence?
amaca is a feminine noun. Because it starts with a vowel, the indefinite article una is elided to become un'amaca when saying 'a hammock'. Additionally, when using the definite article with the preposition 'on', the contraction sull'amaca is the standard way to say 'on the hammock' or 'in the hammock'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /aˈma.ka/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The word amaca is a linguistic traveler that shares its roots with the Spanish word hamaca, both descending from the Taíno language of the Caribbean.
- The term branda is historically linked to the 'branda da campo', a portable canvas bed used by soldiers during Napoleonic campaigns in Italy.
- In Italian, the word branda is often used to describe the narrow and uncomfortable beds found in old hospitals or prisons, moving beyond its literal meaning as a camping cot.
Examples in context
- Giaceva sull'amaca per ore.She lay in the hammock for hours.This sentence shows how to use the form amaca to describe lying in a hammock.Tatoeba #4668479 by Guybrush88, translation #3946312 by Joseph
- Tu potresti dormire sull'amaca.You could sleep in the hammock.This sentence demonstrates the use of amaca regarding sleeping in a hammock.Tatoeba #4977352 by Guybrush88, translation #3433937 by AlanF_US
- A Tom non piace dormire su un'amaca.Tom doesn't like sleeping in a hammock.This sentence uses amaca to express a preference for or against sleeping in a hammock.Tatoeba #4668485 by Guybrush88, translation #3177920 by CK
- Mi piacerebbe acquistare un'amaca per il mio giardino.I would like to buy a hammock for my garden.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Francesco are relaxing in a sunny garden.
- GiuliaFrancesco, prendi l'amaca per rilassarti.Francesco, take the hammock to relax.
- FrancescoGrazie, Giulia, l'amaca sembra fantastica.Thanks, Giulia, the hammock looks fantastic.
- GiuliaVuoi che ti aiuti a montarla?Do you want me to help you set it up?
- FrancescoNo, grazie, riesco a farcela da solo.No thanks, I can do it myself.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hammock” translations and entries amaca, branda, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries amaca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
