sano
/ˈsa.no/
The Italian word for healthy is sano.
sano is used to describe someone or something enjoying good physical health. To specify that a person is mentally healthy or sane, you can use the phrase sano di mente. Note that if you want to talk about fitness, the Italian term is forma fisica.
Meaning: enjoying good health (adj)
Which one should you use?
While sano refers to the state of being healthy, the adjective salutare is used to describe things that are beneficial to health, such as a healthy habit.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular is sano, the feminine singular is sana, the masculine plural is sani and the feminine plural is sane.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈsa.no/.
Did you know?
- The noun form related to health, salute, is also the standard way to say 'hello' or 'cheers' when making a toast.
- The word sano shares its ancient roots with the English word 'sound', as in the phrase 'of sound mind and body'.
- A 'healthy' amount of something, such as a 'healthy profit', is not expressed with sano but with consistente or generoso.
Examples in context
- Aveva un bambino sano.She had a healthy baby.This sentence shows how to use sano to describe a baby.Tatoeba #3110203 by Guybrush88, translation #554450 by CM
- Il padre è molto sano.The father is very healthy.This sentence demonstrates using sano to describe a father.Tatoeba #7768757 by Guybrush88, translation #7767780 by sharris123
- Penso che Tom sia sano.I think Tom is healthy.This sentence illustrates using sano to express an opinion about someone's health.Tatoeba #3548029 by Guybrush88, translation #3183922 by CK
- Un'alimentazione sanaA healthy diet
- Una persona sanaA healthy person
- Mi sento in formaI feel healthy
- Sto bene, sono in saluteI'm fine, I'm healthy
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Matteo are discussing their new lifestyle.
- ChiaraSei un uomo molto sano, Matteo.You are a very healthy man, Matteo.
- MatteoGrazie, cerco di mangiare bene.Thanks, I try to eat well.
- ChiaraAnche io voglio essere sana come te.I want to be healthy like you too.
- MatteoÈ un obiettivo molto importante.It is a very important goal.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “healthy” translations and entries sano, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sano, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
