ernia
/ˈɛr.nja/feminine
The English word "hernia" is translated into Italian as ernia.
ernia refers to a medical condition where a part of the body protrudes abnormally through a tear or opening in an adjacent part.
Meaning: part of the body protruding abnormally through a tear or opening in an adjacent part (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
ernia is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable. It is pronounced /ˈɛr.nja/.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the term ernia del disco is used for a slipped disc, even though it refers to a 'hernia of the disc'.
- In historical Italian medical texts, ernia was sometimes referred to as rottura, meaning 'break' or 'rupture'.
- The spelling lacks the 'h' found in the English 'hernia', following the standard Italian convention of dropping the Latin initial 'h' in many words.
Examples in context
- Ho un'ernia inguinale.I have an inguinal hernia.
- L'ernia è molto dolorosa.The hernia is very painful.
- Ha avuto un'ernia inguinale.She had an inguinal hernia.
Example conversation
Chiara and Francesco are talking about their health.
- ChiaraPerché cammini così lentamente, Francesco?Why are you walking so slowly, Francesco?
- FrancescoPurtroppo ho un'ernia alla colonna vertebrale.Unfortunately, I have a hernia in my spine.
- ChiaraAccadrà qualcosa di grave?Will something serious happen?
- FrancescoNo, ma devo fare della fisioterapia.No, but I have to do some physiotherapy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hernia” translations and entries ernia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
