Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| leale | /leˈa.le/ | |
| fedele | /feˈde.le/ /feˈdɛ.le/ |
|
| ligio | /ˈli.d͡ʒo/ | masculine |
The word leale is used to describe someone who is firm in their allegiance to a person or an institution. If you wish to emphasize the depth of this loyalty, you can place the words estremamente, immensamente or profondamente before leale or its synonym fedele. Another way to express being loyal is to use the word devoto, which translates to devoted.
Which one should you use?
While both words can translate to loyal, leale often refers to being principled, honest or fair. In contrast, fedele is more commonly used to describe emotional or religious devotion and faithfulness. Additionally, ligio is a masculine form that specifically carries a sense of being loyal in a vassal-like manner.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form ligio is archaic and is almost exclusively found in historical or literary contexts, such as describing a vassal's loyalty to a lord.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective leale is invariable in gender, meaning it remains the same for both masculine and feminine nouns. To make leale plural, add an -i to form leali. The form ligio is specifically masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of leale is /leˈa.le/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the word fedele is used to describe a 'loyal' dog, whereas leale would sound like you are praising the dog for its integrity or sense of justice.
- The word leale is used in sports to describe 'fair play', meaning a 'loyal' player is one who follows the rules and doesn't cheat.
- The word leale entered the Italian language via Old Occitan or Old French rather than directly from Latin.
Examples in context
- È un amico leale.He's a loyal friend.This sentence shows how to use leale to describe a loyal friend.Tatoeba #12479758 by Guybrush88, translation #12435466 by Miktsoanit
- Tom è leale, vero?Tom is loyal, isn't he?This sentence uses leale to ask for confirmation of someone's loyalty.Tatoeba #5987069 by Guybrush88, translation #3417356 by CK
- Ziri è un amico leale.Ziri is a loyal friend.This sentence demonstrates using leale to describe a friend's character.Tatoeba #10247368 by Guybrush88, translation #10243614 by Amastan
- Il signor Rossi è un dipendente fedele e affidabile.Mr. Rossi is a loyal and trustworthy employee.
- Sono fedele ai nostri principi aziendali.I am loyal to our company's principles.
- Marco è un amico leale.Marco is a loyal friend.
- Mi sento leale verso di te.I feel loyal to you.
- Sono profondamente fedele a teI am deeply loyal to you
- 30 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Chiara are discussing a new business associate.
- LorenzoPensi che sia un collaboratore leale?Do you think he is a loyal collaborator?
- ChiaraSì, è un uomo molto leale.Yes, he is a very loyal man.
- LorenzoOttimo, la sua lealtà ci serve.Great, we need his loyalty.
- ChiaraCertamente, Lorenzo, puoi fidarti di lui.Certainly, Lorenzo, you can trust him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “loyal” translations and entries leale, fedele, ligio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fedele, leale, ligio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
