smalto per unghie
The English phrase "nail polish" is translated into Italian as smalto per unghie.
smalto per unghie is the cosmetic lacquer.
Meaning: cosmetic lacquer (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of smalto (enamel) and per unghie (for nails).
How does it change in a sentence?
The word unghie is the plural form of unghia (nail), so the phrase literally translates to "enamel for nails".
Did you know?
- While unghie refers to the fingernails or toenails, the word for a single nail (as in a metal hardware nail) is actually chiodo.
- The word smalto is also used in dentistry to refer to tooth enamel, as both refer to a hard, protective glassy coating.
- The term smalto shares an ancestral root with the English word 'smalt', which refers to a specific type of blue glass pigment used in painting.
Examples in context
- Sto cercando un rossetto che si abbini con questo smalto per unghie.I'm looking for a lipstick to go with this nail polish.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use smalto per unghie when discussing matching cosmetic items.Tatoeba #3488522 by Guybrush88, translation #60466 by CK
- Ho appena comprato uno smalto rosso fuocoI just bought a fiery red nail polish
- Mi piace lo smalto blu scuro, è molto eleganteI like the dark blue nail polish, it's very elegant
- Ho bisogno di uno smalto rosa tenue per una cerimoniaI need a soft pink nail polish for a ceremony
- Adoro gli smalti Essie, sono di ottima qualitàI love Essie polishes, they are of excellent quality
- Mi piacerebbe provare lo smalto Chanel, sembra fantasticoI'd love to try Chanel polish, it looks fantastic
- Scusa, mi puoi consigliare uno smalto di buona qualità?Excuse me, can you recommend a good quality nail polish?
- Qual è il tuo smalto preferito?What's your favorite nail polish?
- Sai dove posso trovare uno smalto rosa intenso?Do you know where I can find a deep pink nail polish?
- Hai uno smalto per unghie rosso?Do you have a red nail polish?
- Devo comprare un nuovo smalto per unghie.I need to buy a new nail polish.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Martina are looking at a beauty shop shelf.
- MatteoCerchi uno smalto per unghie particolare, Martina?Are you looking for a particular nail polish, Martina?
- MartinaSì, vorrei uno smalto per unghie rosa.Yes, I would like a pink nail polish.
- MatteoGuarda, questo è molto bello.Look, this one is very beautiful.
- MartinaGrazie, Matteo, lo prendo.Thanks, Matteo, I'll take it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nail polish” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries per, smalto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
