malattia
/ma.latˈti.a/feminine
The Italian word for illness is malattia.
malattia is a noun used to describe a state of bad health or a disease. While malattia is the general term, Italian speakers use more specific words depending on the nature of the ailment: infezione is used specifically for an infection, raffreddore refers to a common cold and febbre refers to a fever. If you want to describe the sensation of physical suffering, you would use dolore for pain.
Meaning: a state of bad health or disease (noun)
Which one should you use?
In different contexts, other terms are more precise than malattia. Use infezione when referring to an infection and raffreddore when specifically talking about a common cold. For the sensation of discomfort, use dolore to mean pain. If you are discussing a medical condition or pathology in a professional sense, patologia is the appropriate term.
How does it change in a sentence?
malattia is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has four syllables, with the stress on the third syllable: /ma.latˈti.a/.
Did you know?
- To describe a 'sick leave' from work, Italians use the term malattia, as in essere in malattia. This turns the noun for illness into a status of employment leave.
- Italian distinguishes between malattia, a general illness, and disturbo, which refers to a disorder. A disturbo is often viewed as a functional disruption rather than a biological disease.
- The English word 'malady' is a direct linguistic cousin to the Italian malattia, sharing the same root.
Examples in context
- Non è una malattia.That is not an illness.This sentence uses malattia to deny that something is an illness.Tatoeba #3010663 by Guybrush88, translation #9723270 by ariarin
- Curò la mia malattia.He cured my illness.This sentence uses malattia to describe an illness that was cured.Tatoeba #1246367 by Guybrush88, translation #297977 by CK
- Morì di malattia cronica.She died from a chronic illness.This sentence uses malattia to describe a cause of death related to a chronic illness.Tatoeba #10467426 by Guybrush88, translation #9941253 by ddnktr
- Mi dispiace, Giulia è assente oggi a causa di una malattia.I'm sorry, Giulia is absent today due to an illness.
- È necessario prendere degli antibiotici per trattare questa infezione.It's necessary to take antibiotics to treat this infection.
- Il medico sta studiando la sua patologia per trovare la migliore soluzione.The doctor is studying his medical condition to find the best solution.
- Mi scuso se ho un po' di raffreddore, mi è appena venuto.I apologize if I have a little cold, it just came on.
- 78 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Giulia are discussing a news report about a local health issue.
- LorenzoHai sentito della nuova malattia?Did you hear about the new illness?
- GiuliaSì, è una notizia preoccupante.Yes, it is worrying news.
- LorenzoSpero che non colpisca nessuno.I hope it doesn't hit anyone.
- GiuliaIo spero lo stesso, Lorenzo.I hope the same, Lorenzo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “illness” translations and entries malattia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries malattia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
