cravatta
/kraˈvat.ta/feminine
The English phrase 'necktie' is cravatta in Italian.
cravatta is a feminine noun referring to a strip of cloth worn around the neck and tied in the front. If you want to specify a bow tie rather than a standard long necktie, you should use the phrase cravatta a farfalla.
Meaning: strip of cloth worn around the neck and tied in the front (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of cravatta is cravatte.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable: /kraˈvat.ta/.
Did you know?
- The word cravatta actually traces its roots back to the people of Croatia, as the garment was originally worn by Croatian mercenaries.
- While cravatta a farfalla is the term for a bow tie, it literally translates to a 'butterfly necktie'.
- If you are describing a tie that is 'loose' or 'untied', you would use the adjective sciolta, which can also describe someone who is 'relaxed'.
Examples in context
- Questa cravatta non si abbina al mio cappotto.This necktie does not match my coat.This sentence is useful for describing how a cravatta does not match a coat.Tatoeba #4698168 by Guybrush88, translation #60728 by CK
- Marco indossava una cravatta elegante per l'importante colloquio di lavoro.Marco wore a stylish necktie for the important job interview.
- Giovanni preferisce indossare un papillon piuttosto che una cravatta tradizionale.Giovanni prefers to wear a bowtie rather than a traditional necktie.
- Mi piace molto la tua cravatta blu.I really like your blue necktie.
- Devo comprare una cravatta per il matrimonio.I need to buy a necktie for the wedding.
Example conversation
Sofia is helping Francesco get ready for a wedding.
- SofiaFrancesco, dove hai messo la tua cravatta?Francesco, where did you put your necktie?
- FrancescoPenso di averla lasciata in camera.I think I left it in the bedroom.
- SofiaTi aiuto a scegliere una cravatta elegante.I will help you choose an elegant necktie.
- FrancescoGrazie, Sofia, sei molto gentile.Thanks, Sofia, you are very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “necktie” translations and entries cravatta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cravatta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
