sacco della biancheria
The English phrase 'laundry bag' is translated into Italian as sacco della biancheria.
sacco della biancheria refers to a bag used for collecting or carrying clothes that need to be washed.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'bag of the laundry', where sacco means 'bag', della means 'of the' and biancheria means 'linen' or 'laundry'.
Which one should you use?
You may also use sacco per la biancheria, which means 'bag for laundry'. This version uses the preposition per (for) instead of della (of the) to express the purpose of the bag.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural 'laundry bags', change the singular sacco to the plural sacchi to get sacchi della biancheria.
Did you know?
- In Italy, biancheria does not just refer to laundry bags or washing, but is the standard term for 'lingerie' or 'underwear' when shopping for clothes.
- While sacco means 'bag', it is also the root of the English word 'sack'. Both trace back to the Ancient Greek sákkos, which originally referred to a garment made of coarse sackcloth.
- If the laundry container is a rigid basket instead of a soft bag, an Italian speaker is more likely to use the word cestino instead of sacco.
Examples in context
- Hai un sacchetto dove posso mettere i panni sporchi?Do you have a little bag where I can put dirty clothes?
- Dove ho messo il sacco della biancheria?Where did I put the laundry bag?
- Serve un sacco della biancheria nuovo.We need a new laundry bag.
- Metti i panni nel sacco della biancheria.Put the clothes in the laundry bag.
Example conversation
Sofia and Alessandro are organizing their bedroom.
- AlessandroSofia, hai visto il sacco della biancheria?Sofia, have you seen the laundry bag?
- SofiaSì, è dietro la porta.Yes, it is behind the door.
- AlessandroGrazie, lo uso subito.Thanks, I will use it right away.
- SofiaVa bene, Alessandro.Okay, Alessandro.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries biancheria, della, sacco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
