forte
/ˈfɔr.te/feminine, masculine
In Italian, the word for loud is forte.
The adjective forte is used to describe a sound that is loud. It is important to note that it has a dual meaning: it can mean both 'loud' regarding sound and 'strong' regarding physical strength or intensity. To specifically say that something is being said 'out loud' or 'in a loud voice', Italians often use the idiomatic phrase a voce alta instead of using the adjective forte.
Meaning: of a sound (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
forte functions as an adjective that can be used in both masculine and feminine forms.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈfɔr.te/.
Did you know?
- The English word 'forté', meaning a person's specialty, is a loanword from the French translation of the Italian forte.
- Because forte also means 'strong', an Italian might describe a 'loud' flavor or a 'strong' coffee using the same word.
- The Latin root of forte, fortem, is the same ancestor for the English words 'force' and 'fortress'.
Examples in context
- Non era così forte.It wasn't that loud.This sentence shows how to use forte in a negative context.Tatoeba #3535051 by Guybrush88, translation #2647659 by CK
- Wow, questo è forte!Wow, this is loud!This sentence demonstrates an exclamation regarding a loud sound using forte.Tatoeba #2745656 by Guybrush88, translation #1461941 by Spamster
- Non parli così forte.Don't talk so loud.This sentence shows how to use forte when asking someone not to speak at a high volume.Tatoeba #1251847 by Guybrush88, translation #41312 by CK
- Il suono era molto forteThe sound was very loud
- Questo ristorante è troppo rumorosoThis restaurant is too loud
- Questo mercato è troppo rumorosoThis market is too noisy
- La festa era davvero rumorosaThe party was really loud
- Il rumore del freno era davvero cacofonicoThe sound of the brake was really cacophonous
- Il tuono era molto forteThe thunder was very loud
- Parla sempre troppo forteHe/she always speaks too loudly
- 50 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Chiara are in a cafe with loud background music.
- MatteoIl volume della radio è troppo forte.The radio volume is too loud.
- ChiaraHai ragione, Matteo, è davvero fastidioso.You're right, Matteo, it's really annoying.
- MatteoChiediamo al cameriere di abbassarlo.Let's ask the waiter to turn it down.
- ChiaraSì, per favore, non riesco a parlare.Yes, please, I can't talk.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “loud” translations and entries forte, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries forte, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
