dentro
/ˈden.tro/
The Italian word for inside is dentro.
dentro is used to indicate being within the interior of something or being closest to a specific center or point of reference. It can function as a preposition or an adverb meaning towards the interior. For instance, if you are discussing internal changes or processes, you may use internamente.
Meaning: within the interior of, closest to the center or to a specific point of reference (prep)
Which one should you use?
The antonym of dentro is fuori, which means outside. You can also use the phrase all'interno di to express 'inside' or 'within'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When dentro is used as a preposition followed by a noun, it is often paired with the preposition a. For example, the phrase would evolve from dentro a la scatola to dentro alla scatola.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈden.tro/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word dentro comes from the Late Latin phrase dē intrō, which literally meant 'from the inside'.
- To describe a 'gut feeling' or an intuition, Italians often use the phrase sentire dentro, implying the feeling is located physically inside the body.
- The word dentro is closely related to the English word 'intro', as both share the Latin root intro meaning 'inner'.
Examples in context
- Tom non è dentro.Tom isn't inside.This sentence uses dentro to indicate a person is not inside.Tatoeba #3485322 by Guybrush88, translation #2236980 by CK
- Il gatto è dentro.The cat's inside.This sentence uses dentro to state the cat is inside.Tatoeba #13354874 by Guybrush88, translation #13328855 by rul
- La gatta è dentro.The cat is inside.Tatoeba #13354875 by Guybrush88, translation #13328870 by rul
- L'ufficio del direttore si trova all'interno dell'edificioThe director's office is located inside the building
- L'organismo sta subendo dei cambiamenti internamenteThe organism is undergoing internal changes
- Mettiti dentro la macchinaGet inside the car
- Lasciami arrivare entro dieci minuti, ti raggiungo dentro il parcoLet me arrive within ten minutes, I'll meet you inside the park
- La mostra d'arte si trova all'interno del museoThe art exhibition is located inside the museum
- Chiudi la porta, fa freddo dentro!Close the door, it's cold inside!
- Gh'è tanta gent in dent del barThere are many people inside the bar
- 424 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Lorenzo are looking for a lost key near a box.
- SofiaÈ dentro la scatola?Is it inside the box?
- LorenzoNo, non è dentro.No, it is not inside.
- SofiaAllora dove si trova?Then where is it?
- LorenzoForse è caduto sotto il tavolo.Maybe it fell under the table.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry dentro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dentro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
