pollici
The Italian word for "inches" is pollici.
pollici refers to the unit of linear measurement primarily used in the United States. When writing measurements involving decimals, such as 3.5 inches, Italian uses a comma instead of a point, writing it as 3,5 pollici.
What does it mean word for word?
pollici is the plural form of pollice, which literally means "thumbs".
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of pollici is pollice, which means "inch".
Did you know?
- In Italian, the word pollice is also used in the context of gladiatorial combat, where a turned thumb determined the fate of a defeated fighter.
- While English speakers use a 'thumbs up' to signal agreement, Italians traditionally used the pollice gesture to ward off the evil eye or bad luck in certain regional folk customs.
- Because pollice means 'thumb', the Italian expression non muovere un pollice means to not lift a finger or to refuse to help.
Examples in context
- Tom è tre pollici più alto di sua moglie.Tom is three inches taller than his wife is.Tatoeba #11725234 by Guybrush88, translation #37180 by CK
- Un piede è dodici pollici.A foot is twelve inches.Tatoeba #10289078 by carlosalberto, translation #6473479 by Hybrid
- Il mio schermo del computer è largo 15 pollici.My computer screen is 15 inches wide.
- La misura del mio braccio è di 20 pollici.The measurement of my arm is 20 inches.
- Il tavolo ha una lunghezza di 30 pollici.The table has a length of 30 inches.
- Questo oggetto è lungo un pollice.This object is one inch long.
- Mi è cresciuta un'unghia di tre pollici!My nail grew three inches!
- La differenza è di soli due pollici.The difference is only two inches.
Example conversation
Francesco and Giulia are measuring a small wooden frame in their workshop.
- FrancescoQuanto è larga questa cornice in pollici?How wide is this frame in inches?
- GiuliaÈ larga esattamente dieci pollici.It is exactly ten inches wide.
- FrancescoÈ troppo piccola per il nostro progetto.It is too small for our project.
- GiuliaHai ragione, cerchiamo una più grande.You are right, let's look for a larger one.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
