spento
/ˈspen.to/
The Italian word for 'off' (inoperative or disabled) is spento.
spento is used to describe something that is turned off, extinguished or darkened. While it is the past participle used to mean 'turned off', it is also the adjective meaning 'extinguished' or 'darkened'.
Meaning: inoperative, disabled (adj)
Which one should you use?
spento can mean 'off' in the sense of a device being turned off, or it can mean 'extinguished' or 'darkened'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word must agree with the noun it describes: use spenta for feminine singular nouns like *la luce* (the light), spenti for masculine plural nouns like *i motori* (the motors) and spente for feminine plural nouns like *le luci* (the lights).
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈspen.to/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often try to use the English word 'off' directly in Italian sentences, but for electronic devices or lights, you must use the verb *spegnere* and its participle spento.
Did you know?
- While spento means 'off' for lights or devices, using it to describe a person implies they are 'lifeless' or 'spiritless'.
- The word spento is used to describe colors that are 'muted' or 'flat', rather than bright and vivid.
- The verb spegnere is used in the idiom spegnere l'entusiasmo, which means 'to dampen' or 'to kill' someone's enthusiasm.
Examples in context
- Ho spento la TV.I turned the TV off.This sentence is useful for practicing how to say you turned the TV off with spento.Tatoeba #2574867 by Guybrush88, translation #2548407 by CK
- Ha spento il gas?Did you turn off the gas?This sentence shows how to ask if the gas was turned off using spento.Tatoeba #3164019 by Guybrush88, translation #63743 by CK
- Ne ho spento uno.I switched one off.This sentence demonstrates switching one off using spento.Tatoeba #5779701 by Guybrush88, translation #2873618 by Amastan
- Per favore, spegni la luce.Please turn off the light.
- Il dispositivo è spento.The device is off.
- Chiudiamo il computer.Let's shut down the computer.
- Il servizio è temporaneamente disattivato.The service is temporarily deactivated.
- Hai disattivato il tuo account.You have deactivated your account.
- Sai che il computer è spento?Do you know the computer is off?
- Ho staccato il telefono.I disconnected the phone.
- Stacca la spina della lavatrice.Unplug the washing machine.
- La festa è finita.The party is over.
- Le luci sono spente.The lights are off.
- Ho chiuso il rubinetto.I turned off the faucet.
- Puoi spegnere la luce?Can you turn off the light?
- Certo, l'ho spenta.Of course, I turned it off.
- 160 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Sofia are in the living room checking the electronics.
- LorenzoIl computer è spento?Is the computer off?
- SofiaSì, è tutto spento.Yes, everything is off.
- LorenzoHai spento anche la luce?Did you turn off the light too?
- SofiaSì, l'ho spenta poco fa.Yes, I turned it off a little while ago.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “off” translations and entries spento, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
