convento
/konˈvɛn.to/masculine
The English word 'nunnery' is translated into Italian as convento.
convento is used to refer to a residence for nuns.
Meaning: residence for nuns (noun)
Which one should you use?
While convento is the standard word for a nunnery, it is also the word used for a monastery inhabited by monks. If you want to be explicitly specific that the residence is for women, you can use the phrase convento di suore.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of convento is conventi.
How do you pronounce it?
convento is pronounced /konˈvɛn.to/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word convento shares its root with the English word 'convention', as both derive from the Latin word for 'a coming together'.
- In historical Italian literature, a convento was often a place of political refuge or strategic secrecy, not just a site for religious devotion.
- In some Italian dialects and older texts, the distinction between a convento and a monastero depends more on the lifestyle of the residents than the architecture.
Examples in context
- Mi scusi, dove si trova il monastero femminile più vicino?Excuse me, where is the nearest nunnery?
- Potrebbe indicarmi la strada per il monastero delle suore?Could you show me the way to the nunnery?
- Sono interessato/a a visitare un convento femminile a Firenze.I'm interested in visiting a nunnery in Florence.
- Si può entrare nel convento femminile per un momento di preghiera?Is it possible to enter the nunnery for a moment of prayer?
- Sono passato/a davanti a un chiostro di suore durante la mia passeggiata.I walked past a nunnery during my stroll.
- Domani andrò a trovare mia zia che è suora in un monastero delle suore.Tomorrow, I will visit my aunt who is a nun in a nunnery.
- Mi hanno raccontato che il monastero delle suore in periferia è molto tranquillo.I've been told that the nunnery on the outskirts is very peaceful.
- Il convento è molto antico.The convent is very old.
- Vivono in un piccolo convento.They live in a small convent.
- Abbiamo visitato un convento in collina.We visited a convent on the hill.
Example conversation
Martina and Lorenzo are walking through a historic village.
- MartinaGuarda quel bellissimo convento.Look at that beautiful convent.
- LorenzoSì, è un posto molto tranquillo.Yes, it is a very quiet place.
- MartinaLorenzo, entrerai a visitarlo?Lorenzo, will you go inside to visit it?
- LorenzoForse più tardi, ora ho fretta.Maybe later, I am in a hurry now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nunnery” translations and entries convento, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries convento, CC BY-SA 4.0.
