mutuo
/ˈmu.tu.o/
The English phrase "mortgage" is translated into Italian as mutuo.
The word mutuo is the standard term used to describe a mortgage, which is a specific type of secured loan.
Meaning: special form of secured loan (noun)
Which one should you use?
While mutuo is the standard term for a mortgage, prestito ipotecario is a more technical, formal term used in banking contexts to specifically describe a mortgage loan. Additionally, finanziamento ipotecario is a term used to describe a mortgage when focusing on its financial aspect.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈmu.tu.o/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use ipoteca to mean the loan itself. In Italian, ipoteca actually refers to the legal lien or security interest placed on the property, rather than the loan.
Did you know?
- In Italy, the process of estinguere un mutuo means to pay off the loan, but the verb estinguere literally means 'to extinguish'.
- While 'mortgage' in English comes from the Old French 'mort gage' or 'dead pledge', the Italian mutuo avoids any reference to 'death'.
- Italian uses the adjective mutuo to describe things that are shared or reciprocal, such as mutuo soccorso for 'mutual aid'.
Examples in context
- Ci sono madri e padri che rimarranno a letto svegli dopo che i figli si addormenteranno e si chiederanno come ripagheranno il mutuo, o pagheranno le spese del loro dottore, o risparmieranno abbastanza per l'istruzione universitaria del loro figlio.There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for their child's college education.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the word mutuo in a discussion about financial obligations.Tatoeba #8424205 by Guybrush88, translation #347771 by CM
- Ho un'ipoteca sulla mia casaI have a mortgage on my house
- Ho ottenuto un prestito ipotecario per comprare la mia casaI obtained a mortgage loan to buy my house
- Ho preso un finanziamento ipotecario per ridurre i costi mensiliI took out a mortgage to lower my monthly expenses
- Sto ancora pagando il mutuo della mia casaI am still paying off my mortgage
- Sto chiedendo un prestito casa per comprare un appartamentoI am applying for a house loan to buy an apartment
- Ho un'ipoteca sulla mia casa, ma presto finirò di pagare il mutuoI have a mortgage on my house, but soon I will finish paying off the loan
- Ho deciso di prendere un finanziamento ipotecario per acquistare la mia prima casaI have decided to take out a mortgage to buy my first house
- Sto cercando un mutuo conveniente con tassi di interesse bassiI am looking for an affordable mortgage with low interest rates
- Vorrei capire quali sono le opzioni di prestito casa disponibili presso le banche localiI would like to understand what house loan options are available at local banks
- Dobbiamo chiedere un mutuo per comprare la casa.We need to ask for a mortgage to buy the house.
- Il tasso del mutuo è sceso questo mese.The mortgage rate has dropped this month.
Example conversation
Francesco and Giulia are discussing their plans to buy a new apartment.
- FrancescoVuoi comprare quella casa subito?Do you want to buy that house immediately?
- GiuliaNo, prima dobbiamo stipulare un mutuo.No, first we need to take out a mortgage.
- FrancescoHai già parlato con la banca?Have you already spoken with the bank?
- GiuliaSì, stiamo valutando le offerte.Yes, we are evaluating the offers.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mutuo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
