a spina di pesce
/a ˈspi.na di ˈpeʃ.ʃe/word by word
The English word 'herringbone' (referring to the pattern) is translated into Italian as a spina di pesce.
This term is used as a noun to describe a herringbone pattern.
Meaning: pattern (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'a fishbone'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is a prepositional phrase used as a noun to describe the pattern, and it does not change its form for pluralization.
How do you pronounce it?
The phrase is pronounced /a ˈspi.na di ˈpeʃ.ʃe/. It consists of 5 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- In Italian, spina is the word used for both a fishbone and an electrical plug.
- The term a spina di pesce is used beyond textiles to describe the layout of many Italian roads and parking lots.
- The word spina is used in the Italian idiom spina nel fianco, which describes a person who is a constant nuisance or a 'thorn in one's side'.
Examples in context
- Questo pavimento è a spina di pesce.This floor has a herringbone pattern.
- Mi piace molto il disegno a spina di pesce.I really like the herringbone pattern.
- Il tessuto ha una trama a spina di pesce.The fabric has a herringbone weave.
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Sofia are looking at fabric samples for a new sofa.
- LorenzoTi piace questo tessuto a spina di pesce?Do you like this herringbone fabric?
- SofiaSì, ma preferisco un colore più scuro.Yes, but I prefer a darker color.
- LorenzoC'è un altro modello a spina di pesce blu.There is another herringbone model in blue.
- SofiaPerfetto, Sofia lo sceglie subito!Perfect, Sofia chooses it right away!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “herringbone” translations and entries a spina di pesce, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (a, spina, di, pesce) and can differ in connected speech.
