lente
/ˈlɛn.te/feminine
The Italian word for lens is lente. If unsure, use lente. Wiktionary also lists lentille.
Meaning: object focusing or defocusing the light passing through it (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| lente | /ˈlɛn.te/ | feminine |
| lentille | feminine |
Both lente and lentille refer to an object used for focusing or defocusing light.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both lente and lentille are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈlɛn.te/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the word lente is a homonym. While it means 'lens' as a feminine noun, it is also the feminine form of the adjective lento, meaning 'slow'.
- The word lente comes from the Latin word for 'lentil'. People in Medieval Latin began using the name of the legume to describe the glass object because of its similar double-convex shape.
- Italian uses the word lente in the phrase lente d'ingrandimento to describe a magnifying glass. Literally, this translates to a 'lens of enlargement'.
Examples in context
- Tom perse una lente a contatto.Tom lost a contact lens.This sentence is useful for mentioning a contact lens using lente.Tatoeba #1747813 by Guybrush88, translation #1093250 by CK
- Vedi il mondo attraverso una lente più indulgente.You see the world through a more forgiving lens.This sentence illustrates the use of lente in a metaphorical sense regarding a forgiving perspective.Tatoeba #13167092 by Nuel, translation #13167091 by Nuel
- Mi hai aiutato a vedere il mondo con una lente più ottimista.You've helped me see the world through a more optimistic lens.This sentence shows how lente can be used metaphorically to describe an optimistic perspective.Tatoeba #12120435 by Nuel, translation #12120434 by Nuel
- Posso utilizzare la lente della tua macchina fotografica?May I use the lens of your camera?
- Ho appena acquistato un obiettivo nuovo per la mia fotocameraI just bought a new lens for my camera
- Ho trovato un buon obbiettivino per la mia macchina fotografica usataI found a good little lens for my used camera
- Attenzione alla lente del microscopio!Be careful with the microscope lens!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Alessandro are talking about a camera in a store.
- ChiaraQuale lente consigli per fare i ritratti?Which lens do you recommend for taking portraits?
- AlessandroTi suggerisco questa lente a focale fissa.I suggest this prime lens.
- ChiaraQuesta lente è troppo costosa per me.This lens is too expensive for me.
- AlessandroPossiamo cercare una lente più economica, Chiara.We can look for a cheaper lens, Chiara.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lens” translations and entries lente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
