barattolo
/baˈrat.to.lo/masculine
The Italian word for jar is barattolo. Wiktionary also lists vasetto.
Meaning: small, approximately cylindrical container (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| barattolo | /baˈrat.to.lo/ | masculine |
| vasetto | /vaˈzet.to/ |
The word barattolo refers to a small, approximately cylindrical container. You can use the phrase barattolo di vetro to say 'glass jar' or barattolo per la conserva to mean 'jar for preserving.'
Which one should you use?
barattolo is the standard term for a jar and often implies a larger or more utilitarian container. In contrast, vasetto is a diminutive form typically used for smaller jars, such as those for jam or spices.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of barattolo is barattoli, while the plural of the diminutive vasetto is vasetti.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd syllable: /baˈrat.to.lo/.
Did you know?
- The root of barattolo is potentially linked to the French word baratte, which refers to a butter churn.
- Italians often use the term vasetto for yogurt containers, even when they are made of plastic rather than glass.
- The word vasetto uses the diminutive suffix -etto, which in Italian can express not just small size, but also affection or endearment.
Examples in context
- Il barattolo è vuoto.The jar is empty.This sentence is useful for describing the state of a barattolo.Tatoeba #1364220 by Guybrush88, translation #1490461 by fengli
- Il barattolo era pieno di sabbia.The jar was filled with sand.This sentence is useful for describing what a barattolo was filled with.Tatoeba #13283038 by Guybrush88, translation #12874305 by Teangloir
- La torta è stata schiacciata dal barattolo di succo.The cake got crushed by the jar of juice.This sentence is useful for describing an action involving a barattolo.Tatoeba #4634915 by Guybrush88, translation #680609 by Source_VOA
- Mi potresti passare il vaso di marmellata, per favore?Could you pass me the jar of jam, please?
- Dove posso trovare un contenitore di vetro per conservare i cibi?Where can I find a glass container to store food?
- Ho bisogno di un barattolo per conservare le spezie.I need a jar to store the spices.
- Mi passi il barattolo?Could you pass me the jar?
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Lorenzo are in the kitchen organizing the pantry.
- SofiaLorenzo, dove hai messo il barattolo di marmellata?Lorenzo, where did you put the jam jar?
- LorenzoÈ sopra lo scaffale, vicino al barattolo di miele.It is on the shelf, near the honey jar.
- SofiaGrazie, questo barattolo è molto grande.Thanks, this jar is very large.
- LorenzoSì, è perfetto per le scorte invernali.Yes, it is perfect for the winter supplies.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jar” translations and entries barattolo, vasetto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries barattolo, vasetto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
