nocca
/ˈnɔk.ka/feminine
The Italian word for knuckle is nocca. Wiktionary also lists giuntura.
Meaning: joint of the finger (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| nocca | /ˈnɔk.ka/ | feminine |
| giuntura | /d͡ʒunˈtu.ra/ | feminine |
The term is used to refer to the joint of a finger.
Which one should you use?
nocca is the standard, everyday word for a finger knuckle. In contrast, giuntura refers more generally to a joint or connection and is more technical or anatomical than nocca.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word nocca is a feminine noun. Its plural form is nocche.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈnɔk.ka/. The stress is on the first of two syllables.
Did you know?
- The word nocca was not originally Latin but was borrowed into Italian from Lombardic, a Germanic language spoken by tribes who settled in Italy.
- The word giuntura shares its root with the English word 'junction', reflecting a shared Latin ancestry focused on the act of joining.
- While nocca refers to a biological joint, the term giuntura is used by Italian carpenters and mechanics to describe the point where two pieces of wood or metal meet.
Examples in context
- Quando mi sono sbucciato le nocche, ho dovuto mettere un cerotto.When I scraped my knuckles, I had to put on a band-aid.
- Si è fatto sanguinare le nocche.He made his knuckles bleed.
- Mi fa male la nocca del dito.My finger knuckle hurts.
- Si è fatta rossa la nocca.The knuckle turned red.
- Ha un segno sulla nocca.He has a mark on his knuckle.
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Martina are looking at a hand injury.
- LorenzoGuarda, mi sono fatta male a una nocca.Look, I hurt a knuckle.
- MartinaFammi vedere, Martina. È molto rossa.Let me see, Martina. It is very red.
- LorenzoSì, sento dolore proprio sulla nocca.Yes, I feel pain right on the knuckle.
- MartinaMetti un po' di ghiaccio, Lorenzo consiglia.Put some ice on it, Lorenzo suggests.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “knuckle” translations and entries nocca, giuntura, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries giuntura, nocca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
