signora
/siɲˈɲo.ra/feminine
In Italian, 'madam' is translated as signora.
signora is a polite term of address used to refer to a woman. It is the standard way to say 'madam' in formal situations and is also the direct equivalent of 'Mrs.' when it is used alongside a surname.
Meaning: polite term of address to a woman (noun)
Which one should you use?
While signora is the standard polite address for 'madam', it is often contrasted with signorina, which is used for 'miss'. In modern professional Italian, however, signora is increasingly used as the default polite address for all adult women, regardless of whether they are married.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine counterpart to signora is signore when used as a standalone address (sir), or signor when followed by a surname (Mr.).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of signora is /siɲˈɲo.ra/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- While 'Miss' and 'Mrs.' are common in English, calling a woman signorina in modern Italy can sometimes be perceived as patronizing or overly focused on her age and marital status.
- The word signora comes from the Medieval Latin word seniōra, which was the feminine form of the word for 'lord'.
- In Italy, it is common for total strangers to use signora when addressing any woman in a shop or on the street, whereas 'Madam' is rarely used this way in English.
Examples in context
- Al suo servizio, signora!At your service, madam!This sentence shows how to use signora when offering service.Tatoeba #4886420 by Guybrush88, translation #2944225 by Hybrid
- Mi scusi, signora, mi vergogno di piangere così davanti a lei, ma non posso trattenere le lacrime.Pardon me, madam, I'm ashamed to be crying like this in front of you, but I can't hold my tears.This sentence demonstrates using signora to politely address a woman while apologizing.Tatoeba #3106279 by Guybrush88, translation #1331948 by Scott
- "Buongiorno, sto cercando un Tom Tatoeba. Sono capitata nel posto giusto?" "Certamente, signora. Se potesse aspettare un momento, per favore.""Hello, I'm looking for a Tom Tatoeba. Have I come to the right place?" "You certainly have, madam. If you would just wait a moment, please."This sentence illustrates a formal interaction using signora during a polite inquiry.Tatoeba #13098761 by Guybrush88, translation #10628158 by sundown
- Buongiorno, SignoraGood morning, Madam
- Salve, SignoraHello, Madam
- Mi scusi, SignoraExcuse me, Madam
- Ciao, Signora Rossi! Come sta suo marito?Hello, Madam Rossi! How is your husband?
- Signora, può aiutarmi, per favore?Madam, could you help me, please?
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A waiter greets a female customer in a restaurant.
- MatteoBuongiorno, signora. Prego, si sieda pure qui.Good morning, madam. Please, feel free to sit here.
- GiuliaGrazie mille, molto gentile.Thank you very much, very kind.
- MatteoDesidera già qualcosa da bere, signora?Would you like something to drink already, madam?
- GiuliaSì, un bicchiere d'acqua naturale, grazie.Yes, a glass of still water, please.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “madam” translations and entries signora, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries signora, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
