su
/ˈsu/
The English word 'on' can be translated into Italian as su or a. If unsure, use su.
Meaning: positioned at or resting against the outer surface of, attached to (prep)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| su | /ˈsu/ |
| a | /a/ |
The preposition su is used to indicate physical contact with a surface, such as being on a table or to describe a specific position above something. For more formal contexts, the expression sulla superficie di can be used to mean 'on the surface of'.
Which one should you use?
Use su when you want to emphasize contact with a surface or a specific position. The form a is used in certain idiomatic expressions or to indicate position in phrases like being on the ground or on a specific floor.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When the preposition su is followed by a pronoun, you must use the form su di instead of just su, such as in the phrase su di me (on me).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsu/
Did you know?
- While su means 'on', the Italian word for 'on' in the context of electronic devices is usually acceso, which literally means 'lit' or 'on fire'.
- The Italian word su is used in the common exclamation Su!, which doesn't mean 'on' but is used to encourage someone, similar to saying 'Come on!' or 'Hurry up!' in English.
- In certain contexts, the preposition a serves as a contraction of the Latin atque, which means 'and' or 'also'. This results in a historical link between a word for position and a word for addition.
Examples in context
- È su di me.It's on me.This sentence demonstrates the use of the su form with a pronoun.Tatoeba #3360970 by Guybrush88, translation #250231 by CK
- Tom è a terra.Tom is lying on the ground.This sentence shows how to use a to indicate being on the ground.Tatoeba #3816452 by Guybrush88, translation #1956370 by CK
- A che piano è?Which floor is it on?This sentence shows how a is used when asking about which floor something is on.Tatoeba #5706014 by Guybrush88, translation #5637923 by CK
- Ho messo il documento su la scrivania.I put the document on the desk.
- L'ombrello è sopra la sedia.The umbrella is on the chair.
- Il libro è sopra il tavolino.The book is on the coffee table.
- La foto è appesa alla porta.The photo is hanging on the door.
- 11546 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Matteo are looking for a misplaced camera in the living room.
- SofiaMatteo, dove hai messo la macchina fotografica?Matteo, where did you put the camera?
- MatteoNon lo so, è su quel tavolo?I don't know, is it on that table?
- SofiaNo, non è su quel tavolo.No, it is not on that table.
- MatteoAh, eccola! È su quella sedia.Ah, there it is! It is on that chair.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “on” translations and entries su, a, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, su, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
