bucato
masculine
The Italian word for laundry is bucato.
Bucato refers to the items that need to be laundered. To express the action of doing the laundry, the standard phrase is fare il bucato.
Meaning: that which needs to be laundered (noun)
Did you know?
- The word bucato is also the past participle of the verb bucare, which means 'to pierce' or 'to make a hole'.
- In many Italian towns, you will see bucato hanging from lines stretched across narrow streets, creating a colorful canopy over pedestrians.
- The term is linked to the Frankish word būkōn, which meant 'to submerge'.
Examples in context
- Mi fece il bucato.She did my laundry.This sentence shows how to say someone performed the laundry for you using bucato.Tatoeba #10490084 by Guybrush88, translation #9946658 by ddnktr
- Io faccio il bucato.I'm doing my laundry.This sentence demonstrates the use of bucato when stating that you are currently doing the laundry.Tatoeba #2729503 by Guybrush88, translation #2547779 by CK
- Odio fare il bucato.I hate doing the laundry.This sentence uses bucato to express a dislike for the chore of doing laundry.Tatoeba #7788450 by Guybrush88, translation #7788261 by CK
- Mi scusi, dove posso trovare una lavanderia?Excuse me, where can I find a laundry?
- Il mio albergo offre un servizio di lavanderia?Does my hotel offer a laundry service?
- Devo ancora fare il bucato.I still have to do the laundry.
- Ho appena messo il bucato a lavare.I just put the laundry in to wash.
- Ho finito di fare il bucato.I finished doing the laundry.
- La mia lavatrice è guasta, devo andare alla lavanderia self-service.My washing machine is broken, I need to go to the self-service laundry.
- Dov'è la lavanderia più vicina?Where is the nearest laundry?
- 52 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is talking in their living room about chores.
- FrancescoDevo finire il bucato oggi.I have to finish the laundry today.
- GiuliaVuoi che ti aiuti con il bucato?Do you want me to help you with the laundry?
- FrancescoSì, grazie, sei molto gentile.Yes, thanks, you are very kind.
- GiuliaNessun problema, Francesco.No problem, Francesco.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “laundry” translations and entries bucato, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bucato, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
