ossigeno
/osˈsi.d͡ʒe.no/masculine
The English word oxygen is translated into Italian as ossigeno.
ossigeno is a masculine noun referring to the chemical element oxygen.
Meaning: chemical element (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
Because ossigeno begins with a vowel, the definite article lo elides to l’ when used before it, forming l'ossigeno to mean 'the oxygen'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable. The IPA is /osˈsi.dʒe.no/.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the word ossigeno is often used colloquially as a verb ossigenare to describe taking a break or getting some fresh air to clear one's mind.
- The second half of the word, -geno, comes from the Greek root meaning 'to give birth' or 'to produce', implying that oxygen is the 'acid-producer'.
- While 'ossigeno' is the standard term, in certain older poetic or archaic contexts, one might encounter references to 'aria vitale' to describe the life-giving quality of air.
Examples in context
- L'amore è come l'ossigeno.Love is like oxygen.This sentence uses ossigeno to provide a metaphor comparing love to oxygen.Tatoeba #3003892 by Guybrush88, translation #1670129 by al_ex_an_der
- Non c'è ossigeno sulla luna.There's no oxygen on the moon.This sentence uses ossigeno to state a fact about the moon.Tatoeba #8820101 by Guybrush88, translation #3126805 by Hybrid
- Morì per mancanza di ossigeno.He died from lack of oxygen.This sentence uses ossigeno to explain a cause of death.Tatoeba #377615 by Pharamp, translation #297009 by CK
- L'ossigeno è un elemento essenziale per la vita.Oxygen is an essential element for life.
- 35 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Sofia are discussing a science project about the atmosphere.
- FrancescoQuanto ossigeno c'è in questa miscela?How much oxygen is in this mixture?
- SofiaPenso che ci sia circa il ventuno per cento.I think there is about twenty-one percent.
- FrancescoL'ossigeno è fondamentale per la vita.Oxygen is fundamental for life.
- SofiaSì, Francesco, hai ragione.Yes, Francesco, you are right.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “oxygen” translations and entries ossigeno, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ossigeno, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
