metal detector
masculine
The English phrase "metal detector" is metal detector in Italian. Wiktionary also lists cercametalli and rilevametalli.
Meaning: a hand-held device (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| metal detector | masculine | |
| cercametalli | /ˌt͡ʃer.ka.meˈtal.li/ | masculine |
| rilevametalli | masculine | |
| rivelametalli | masculine |
A metal detector is a hand-held device. In Italian, you can use the English loanword or various Italian compound nouns to describe this device.
What does it mean word for word?
The Italian alternatives are built from combining a verb with the word for metals (metalli): cercametalli combines cercare (to search or look for) with metalli, while rilevametalli combines rilevare (to detect) with metalli.
Which one should you use?
The term metal detector is a common loanword used in everyday Italian. For more descriptive or formal contexts, you may use the Italian compounds cercametalli or rilevametalli.
How does it change in a sentence?
The loanword metal detector is treated as a masculine noun in Italian.
Did you know?
- The structure of cercametalli is identical to that of lavastoviglie, the word for 'dishwasher'. Both follow a pattern where a verb is fused to the object it acts upon to create a new noun.
- The word rilevare in rilevametalli shares a root with rilievo, meaning 'relief' in art or geography. Both words describe the act of noting a physical protrusion or presence.
- In Italy, hobbyists who use a cercametalli for treasure hunting are often called cacciatori di tesori, which translates literally as 'treasure hunters'.
Examples in context
- Voglio comprare un rilevatore di metalli per cercare tesori nascosti.I want to buy a metal detector to search for hidden treasures.
- Ho trovato un antico gioiello con il mio cercametalli oggi!I found an ancient jewel with my metal detector today!
- Mi piacerebbe provare un rilevametalli durante le vacanze in spiaggia.I would like to try a metal finder during my beach vacation.
- Ho comprato un nuovo metal detector.I bought a new metal detector.
- Il metal detector suona continuamente.The metal detector is ringing constantly.
- Devi passare attraverso il metal detector.You have to go through the metal detector.
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Chiara are at the beach.
- LorenzoGuarda, ho portato il mio nuovo metal detector!Look, I brought my new metal detector!
- ChiaraDavvero? Spero che tu trovi qualcosa di prezioso.Really? I hope you find something valuable.
- LorenzoSì, questo metal detector è molto potente.Yes, this metal detector is very powerful.
- ChiaraFammi vedere se segna qualcosa qui.Let me see if it signals something here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “metal detector” translations and entries metal detector, cercametalli, rilevametalli, rivelametalli, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
