Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| avvocato | /av.voˈka.to/ | masculine |
| legale | /leˈɡa.le/ | feminine, masculine |
| avvocatessa | /av.vo.kaˈtes.sa/ | feminine |
An avvocato is a professional qualified to practice law, provide legal advice and represent parties in trials. The term can also be used as a formal title of address before a person's surname.
Which one should you use?
avvocato is the standard term for the profession, while legale is a formal or technical term used to refer to a legal practitioner or counsel in general. avvocatessa is a feminine form, though avvocata is increasingly used as the standard feminine form for a female lawyer.
How do you pronounce it?
/av.voˈka.to/. The word has 4 syllables and the stress is on the 3rd syllable.
When do people say it?
In Italy, Avvocato is used as a formal title of address before a person's surname, similar to how one might use 'Esquire' or 'Counsel' in English.
Did you know?
- The term legale is a linguistic doublet of the word leale, which means 'loyal' in Italian.
- In an Italian courtroom, lawyers often address each other as collega regardless of their seniority to maintain a sense of professional brotherhood.
- Italian lawyers often use the abbreviation Avv. before their names on business cards and formal correspondence.
Examples in context
- Lei è un avvocato?Are you a lawyer?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is an avvocato.Tatoeba #3471393 by Guybrush88, translation #1167039 by CK
- È il mio avvocato.He's my lawyer.This sentence is useful for identifying someone as your avvocato.Tatoeba #8495492 by Guybrush88, translation #8478583 by CH
- Non ho un avvocato.I don't have a lawyer.This sentence is useful for stating that you do not have an avvocato.Tatoeba #8161687 by Guybrush88, translation #6272802 by CK
- Sto cercando un giuslavorista espertoI'm looking for an experienced labor lawyer
- Dobbiamo chiedere al nostro avvocatino amicoWe need to ask our lawyer buddy
- Il legale mi ha dato un buon consiglioThe lawyer gave me good advice
- Il nostro avvocatuccio preferito ha vinto ancora una volta!Our favorite little lawyer won again!
- Ho un appuntamento con l'Avvocato BianchiI have an appointment with Lawyer Bianchi
- Andiamo da quell'avvocatino simpaticoLet's go to that nice little lawyer
- 442 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Francesco are discussing a legal matter at home.
- GiuliaFrancesco, sai se l'avvocato ha chiamato?Francesco, do you know if the lawyer called?
- FrancescoNo, non ho ricevuto alcuna notizia.No, I haven't received any news.
- GiuliaSpero che il tuo avvocato ci aiuti.I hope your lawyer helps us.
- FrancescoSì, è un professionista molto serio.Yes, he is a very serious professional.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lawyer” translations and entries avvocato, legale, avvocatessa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries avvocatessa, avvocato, legale, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
