cric
/ˈkrik/masculine
The English phrase 'jack' (referring to a mechanical device) is translated into Italian as cric. Wiktionary also lists cricco and martinetto.
Meaning: device for raising and supporting a heavy object (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cric | /ˈkrik/ | masculine |
| cricco | /ˈkrik.ko/ | masculine |
| martinetto | masculine | |
| binda | /ˈbin.da/ | feminine |
| sollevatore | /sol.le.vaˈto.re/ | masculine |
These terms refer to a device used for raising and supporting heavy objects.
Which one should you use?
cric is the standard technical term for a mechanical jack used for vehicles or heavy machinery. sollevatore is a more formal or descriptive term used to refer to a lifting device or a hydraulic jack.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
cric, cricco, martinetto and sollevatore are masculine nouns, while binda is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkrik/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the English word 'jack' when discussing mechanical contexts in Italian. Instead, use cric.
Did you know?
- The Northern Italian term binda is a linguistic fossil. It traces its roots back to the Old High German word winda, which described a winch.
- In Italy, the word sollevatore is much broader than the English 'jack'. It acts as a catch-all term that can describe anything from a small car jack to a massive industrial crane.
- The word cric is essentially a phonetic guest in the Italian language. Because it was borrowed directly from French, speakers may follow French-inspired pronunciations rather than strict Italian phonetic rules.
Examples in context
- Il cric è nel bagagliaio.The jack is in the trunk.
- Ti serve un cric per cambiare la gomma?Do you need a jack to change the tire?
- Il cric sembra troppo vecchio.The jack looks too old.
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Giulia are in the garage with a flat tire.
- LorenzoGiulia, puoi passarmi il cric?Giulia, can you hand me the jack?
- GiuliaSì, eccolo qui, Lorenzo.Yes, here it is, Lorenzo.
- LorenzoGrazie, ora sollevo l'auto.Thanks, now I'll lift the car.
- GiuliaFai attenzione a non scivolare.Be careful not to slip.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jack” translations and entries cric, cricco, martinetto, binda, sollevatore, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries binda, cric, CC BY-SA 4.0.
