salotto
/saˈlɔt.to/
The English phrase "lounge room" is translated into Italian as salotto.
The term refers to a room in a house used for relaxing and socializing.
Which one should you use?
soggiorno is a more formal term for a lounge room, while soggiornino refers to a smaller version of the room. The diminutive salottino is used to describe a small sitting room or a cozy nook.
How do you pronounce it?
The word salotto has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable: /saˈlɔt.to/.
Did you know?
- Italian uses the word salotto to describe the interior of a luxury car or a first-class train carriage, referring to the seating area as a 'lounge'.
- If you are in a very formal Italian household, the salotto is often a 'sacred' space kept pristine for guests, while the family actually relaxes in the soggiorno.
- While salotto describes the room, the word salotto is also used to describe a high-society intellectual circle or a literary gathering, similar to the French concept of a 'salon'.
Examples in context
- Il soggiorno è il cuore della casa.The lounge room is the heart of the house.
- Ci vediamo nel salotto dopo cena.Let's meet in the lounge room after dinner.
- Ho creato un bel soggiornino nella mansarda.I created a nice lounge corner in the attic.
- Il salotto è molto luminoso.The lounge room is very bright.
- Ci vediamo in salotto tra dieci minuti.I'll see you in the lounge room in ten minutes.
- Abbiamo comprato un nuovo divano per il salotto.We bought a new sofa for the lounge room.
Example conversation
A couple is deciding where to sit in their new apartment.
- LorenzoChiara, andiamo in salotto?Chiara, shall we go into the lounge room?
- ChiaraSì, Lorenzo, è più comodo.Yes, Lorenzo, it is more comfortable.
- LorenzoHai portato i libri per il salotto?Did you bring the books for the lounge room?
- ChiaraNo, li ho lasciati in camera.No, I left them in the bedroom.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry salotto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
