nobiltà
/no.bilˈta/feminine
The English phrase 'nobility' is translated into Italian as nobiltà.
nobiltà refers to the noble or privileged social class. It can describe the abstract concept of nobility as a quality or the collective group of people who belong to that social class.
Meaning: noble or privileged social class (noun)
Which one should you use?
The noun nobiltà refers to the concept of nobility or the class itself, whereas nobile refers to an individual person who is a noble.
How does it change in a sentence?
nobiltà is a feminine noun and is used in the singular to describe the concept of nobility or the collective group of nobles.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 3rd syllable: /no.bilˈta/.
Did you know?
- In Italian, nobiltà can describe the chemical properties of a material, such as metalli nobili for 'noble metals' like gold and platinum that resist corrosion.
- In Italian history, the term nobiltà di spada referred to the nobility of the sword, while nobiltà di toga referred to the nobility of the robe, distinguishing military families from those who gained status through law and administration.
- The Latin root of nobiltà, 'nobilis', originally carried a strong connotation of being 'well-known' or 'famous' before it became strictly tied to social rank.
Examples in context
- La nobiltà non è garanzia di saggezza.Nobility is no guarantee of wisdom.This sentence shows that nobiltà can be used to discuss the relationship between status and wisdom.Tatoeba #3296530 by Guybrush88, translation #2854536 by Dejo
- Non è perché si ha un titolo che si è un nobile. Ci sono persone che hanno una nobiltà naturale e sono nobili fini. Le persone come noi che hanno solo titoli nobiliari non sono nobili, siamo più come i contadini.It's not because you have a title, that you're a noble. There are people who have a natural nobility and are fine nobles. People like us who only have nobility titles are not nobles, we're more like peasants.This sentence uses nobiltà to distinguish between natural nobility and the possession of mere titles.Tatoeba #3353600 by Guybrush88, translation #1246406 by Scott
- I nobili non esistono solo perché c'è un sistema titolo nobiliare. Anche se non ci fosse nessun sistema nobiliare, ci saranno persone che sono naturalmente dominanti e che saliranno presto alla nobiltà. Così tanto per la nostra nobiltà, allora. Perché, siamo dei semplici contadini.Nobles do not exist merely because there is a peerage system. Even if there were no peerage system, there will be people who are naturally dominant and who will quickly rise to nobility. So much for our nobility then. Why, we are mere peasants.This sentence uses nobiltà in the context of people rising to a certain social status.Tatoeba #3353602 by Guybrush88, translation #1243644 by yuya
- La nobiltà italiana è molto antica e ha un ricco patrimonio culturale.Italian nobility is very ancient and has a rich cultural heritage.
- L'aristocrazia europea era caratterizzata da una grande opulenza.European nobility was characterized by great opulence.
- Il patriziato veneziano era noto per la sua influenza politica ed economica nel Medioevo.The Venetian nobility was known for its political and economic influence in the Middle Ages.
- Mio nonno discende da un'antica famiglia nobile.My grandfather comes from an ancient noble family.
- Alberto è un vero nobiluomo. Cortese e rispettoso con tutti.Alberto is a true nobleman, courteous and respectful to everyone.
- La principessa è una vera nobildonna, con una grazia innata.The princess is a true noblewoman, with innate grace.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is discussing a historical drama series.
- MartinaLa storia parla della nobiltà europea.The story is about the European nobility.
- FrancescoÈ un periodo molto affascinante.It is a very fascinating period.
- MartinaSì, ma la nobiltà aveva molti privilegi.Yes, but the nobility had many privileges.
- FrancescoÈ vero, la vita era molto diversa.True, life was very different.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nobility” translations and entries nobiltà, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nobiltà, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
