Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| quaderno | /kwaˈdɛr.no/ | masculine |
| taccuino | /takˈkwi.no/ /tak.kuˈi.no/ |
|
| blocco | /ˈblɔk.ko/ | masculine |
The term notebook refers to an empty book used for writing notes. Depending on the size and specific type of paper, Italian speakers use different words such as quaderno, taccuino, blocco or even registro when referring to a register.
Which one should you use?
The word you choose depends on the physical format of the notebook. quaderno is the standard, most common word for a notebook, often used in a school context. taccuino refers to a smaller, more portable notebook or a pocket memo pad. blocco is used for a notepad or a pad of paper, typically implying a thicker stack of sheets like a writing block. Additionally, registro can be used as a synonym when the notebook functions specifically as a register.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural forms follow standard Italian patterns: the plural of quaderno is quaderni, the plural of blocco is blocchi and the plural of taccuino is taccuini.
When do people say it?
In a modern context, the phrase agendina elettronica can be used to refer to an electronic organizer.
Did you know?
- The word quaderno comes from the Latin word for 'fourfold'. This refers to the traditional way of folding four sheets of parchment together to create a small book.
- In Italian school culture, the physical layout of a quaderno is strictly categorized by the ruling, such as a righe for lines or a quadretti for small squares.
Examples in context
- Dov'è il mio quaderno?Where's my notebook?This sentence is useful for asking about the location of a quaderno.Tatoeba #13383817 by Guybrush88, translation #3821988 by CK
- Il quaderno non è viola.The notebook is not purple.This sentence is useful for describing the color of a quaderno.Tatoeba #6722777 by Guybrush88, translation #8918297 by DemonicSatori
- Questo è il mio taccuino.This is my notebook.This sentence is useful for identifying a taccuino.Tatoeba #1664632 by Guybrush88, translation #370564 by saeb
- Mi puoi passare un quaderno?Can you pass me a notebook?
- Ho sempre un taccuino in borsaI always have a notebook in my bag.
- Ho scritto tutto sull'agendinaI wrote everything in the notebook.
- Mi serve un blocco per prendere appuntiI need a notebook to take notes.
- Mi serve un quaderno grandeI need a big notebook.
- Ho scritto alcune cose sulla prima pagina del taccuinoI wrote a few things on the first page of the notebook.
- Posso avere un quaderno, per favore?Can I have a notebook, please?
- 39 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina and Alessandro are in a stationery store.
- MartinaHai visto il mio quaderno nuovo?Have you seen my new notebook?
- AlessandroNo, ma posso comprarne uno per te.No, but I can buy one for you.
- MartinaSì, grazie, vorrei un quaderno a spirale.Yes, thank you, I would like a spiral notebook.
- AlessandroPerfetto, cerchiamolo in questo reparto.Perfect, let's look for it in this section.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “notebook” translations and entries quaderno, taccuino, blocco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries blocco, quaderno, taccuino, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
