italiano
/itaˈljano/masculine
The Spanish word for the Italian language is italiano.
The word italiano is the standard term used to name the Italian language. It also functions as an adjective to describe things or people of Italian origin.
Meaning: language (name)
Which one should you use?
The word italiano functions as both the name of the language and the adjective for things or people of Italian origin.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word for the Italian language is the masculine form italiano. When referring to an Italian woman, the feminine form italiana is used. The plural form for Italian men or a mixed group of Italians is italianos. The plural form for a group of Italian women is italianas.
How do you pronounce it?
/itaˈljano/
Did you know?
- Spanish and Italian are so similar that italiano is an example of a word that is nearly identical in both languages, often allowing speakers to understand each other through 'intercomprehension'.
- Although italiano is the standard term, you will find the word itálico in historical texts to refer to the ancient inhabitants of the peninsula before the rise of Rome.
- The suffix '-ano' used in italiano traces its roots back to the Latin '-ānus', which was used to denote belonging to a specific place.
Examples in context
- Es un nombre italiano.It's an Italian name.This sentence shows how to use italiano as an adjective for a name.Tatoeba #10314651 by Seael, translation #5927089 by mailohilohi
- ¿Eres italiano o alemán?Are you Italian or German?This sentence demonstrates how to use italiano to ask about someone's nationality.Tatoeba #3696837 by cueyayotl, translation #8437617 by King2E4
- Amo mi dialecto italiano.I love my Italian dialect.This sentence illustrates the use of italiano to describe a dialect.Tatoeba #5302426 by baudelaire, translation #5302427 by mailohilohi
- Me gusta mucho el idioma italiano.I really like the Italian language.
- La comida italiana es deliciosa.Italian food is delicious.
- El embajador es una persona italiana.The ambassador is an Italian person.
- Conocí a varias personas italianas durante mi viaje.I met several Italian people during my trip.
- ¿Has probado la pizza italiana?Have you tried Italian pizza?
- Me encanta el cine italiano.I love Italian cinema.
- Ese libro pertenece a un escritor italianoThat book belongs to an Italian author.
- 121 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are talking about their language classes.
- MateoEstudio el idioma italiano.I study the Italian language.
- Lucía¡Qué bien! ¿Es difícil?That's great! Is it difficult?
- MateoNo, el italiano es muy bonito.No, Italian is very beautiful.
- LucíaYo prefiero aprender francés.I prefer to learn French.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “italian” translations and entries italiano, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries italiano, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
