イタリア
Itaria[ita̠ɾʲia̠]
The English word "Italy" is translated into Japanese as イタリア (Itaria). Wiktionary also lists イタリー (Itarī) and 伊太利 (Itarī).
Meaning: country in southern Europe (name)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| イタリア | Itaria | [ita̠ɾʲia̠] (narrow) | |
| イタリー | Itarī | [ita̠ɾʲiː] (narrow) | |
| 伊太利 | Itarī | [ita̠ɾʲiː] (narrow) | obsolete |
イタリア is the name of the country in southern Europe. You can use it in various phrases, such as イタリア 料理 for "Italian cuisine" or イタリア 旅行 for "Travel to Italy".
Which one should you use?
イタリア is the standard modern form. イタリー is a dated version that is less common in modern Japanese, and 伊太利 is an obsolete form.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
イタリア is the most common formal term for the country. While イタリー is an older way of expressing the name, it is less frequently used in contemporary speech than イタリア.
How do you pronounce it?
Itaria
Did you know?
- The first character of the kanji version, 伊, is often used as an abbreviation for 'Italy' in Japanese newspapers and formal documents.
- The modern Japanese term イタリア was likely borrowed from Portuguese Itália or Dutch Italië rather than directly from Italian.
- Japanese speakers often associate イタリア with the concept of おしゃれ 'stylish' or 'fashionable' due to the country's reputation for design.
Examples in context
- これがイタリアだよ。This is Italy.This sentence is useful for identifying the location of Italy.Tatoeba #10014471 by small_snow, translation #2132964 by shekitten
- 父の車はイタリア製です。My father's car is made in Italy.This sentence is useful for mentioning that a car is made in Italy.Tatoeba #84807 by small_snow, translation #318907 by CN
- ローマはイタリアにある。Rome is in Italy.This sentence is useful for stating that Rome is located in Italy.Tatoeba #192252 by bunbuku, translation #29415 by CK
- イタリア料理が 大好き です！I love Italian food!
- イタリア語を 学び たいです。I want to learn Italian.
- イタリアに 行った ことがありますか？Have you been to Italy?
- 57 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their travel plans.
- 陽葵 Himariイタリアに行きたいですか？itaria ni ikitai desu ka?Do you want to go to Italy?
- 健太 Kentaはい、イタリアはとても素敵です。hai, itaria wa totemo suteki desu.Yes, Italy is very wonderful.
- 陽葵 Himari健太さんは、何を食べたいですか？kenta-san wa, nani o tabetai desu ka?Kenta, what do you want to eat?
- 健太 Kenta本場のパスタを食べたいです。honba no pasuta o tabetai desu.I want to eat authentic pasta.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “italy” translations and entries イタリア, イタリー, 伊太利, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries イタリア, イタリー, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
