Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| soggiorno | /sodˈd͡ʒor.no/ | masculine |
| salotto | /saˈlɔt.to/ | masculine |
In Italian, there are several ways to refer to a living room depending on the specific function and atmosphere of the space. Soggiorno is a functional term for the room where one spends time, while salotto implies a more formal or elegant sitting room. For an even more specific, informal context, one might use Stanza TV to emphasize a room centered around a television.
What does it mean word for word?
The word soggiorno is derived from the verb soggiornare, which means "to stay" or "to sojourn".
Which one should you use?
Soggiorno is the standard, functional term for a living room. In contrast, salotto often refers to a more formal area used for receiving guests, such as a drawing room or a sitting room and is often more decorated than a standard soggiorno. If the room is smaller and more intimate, you might use the informal term salottino. In some contexts, particularly in older or more formal houses, la sala may be used to refer to the main living or dining room.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because soggiorno is a masculine noun, when you want to say "in the living room", the preposition in combines with the definite article il to form nel (as seen in nel soggiorno).
How do you pronounce it?
{'ipa': '/sodˈdʒor.no/', 'syllables': 3, 'stressed_syllable': '2 of 3'}
Did you know?
- The word salotto is also used metaphorically in the phrase salotto politico to describe a small, exclusive circle of influential people who make decisions behind closed doors.
- While soggiorno is the standard term today, the English word 'sojourn' is a direct linguistic relative of this Italian word.
- In many modern Italian apartments, what an English speaker calls a 'living room' might actually be called zona giorno to distinguish the living area from the 'zona notte' or sleeping area.
Examples in context
- Tom è in salotto.Tom is in the living room.This sentence is useful for saying Tom is in the living room using the form salotto.Tatoeba #4590608 by Guybrush88, translation #3410703 by CK
- Il tavolo è in salotto.The table is in the living room.This sentence is useful for saying the table is in the living room using the form salotto.Tatoeba #5163351 by Guybrush88, translation #2429348 by anjin
- Cosa c'è nel soggiorno?What is in the living room?This sentence is useful for asking what is in the living room using the form soggiorno.Tatoeba #7809881 by Guybrush88, translation #7808572 by sharris123
- Mi piace il tuo soggiornoI like your living room
- La sala è molto eleganteThe living room is very elegant
- Il mio appartamento ha un ambiente living spaziosoMy apartment has a spacious living room
- Ci troviamo nel salottoWe are in the living room
- Andiamo in salotto a guardare un filmLet's go to the living room to watch a movie
- Vieni nel soggiorno, ci sono gli amiciCome to the living room, friends are here
- Vieni nella stanza TV, il film è appena iniziatoCome to the TV room, the movie has just started
- Il mio piccolo salottino è perfetto per leggere e rilassarmiMy small living room is perfect for reading and relaxing
- 50 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Matteo are deciding where to put a new lamp.
- GiuliaMettiamo la lampada nuova nel soggiorno?Shall we put the new lamp in the living room?
- MatteoSì, Giulia, è l'idea migliore.Yes, Giulia, it's the best idea.
- GiuliaMa c'è spazio nel soggiorno?But is there space in the living room?
- MatteoSì, Matteo pensa che ci stia bene.Yes, Matteo thinks it will fit well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “living room” translations and entries soggiorno, salotto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
