astuccio
masculine
The Italian phrase for pencil case is astuccio. Wiktionary also lists portalapis and portamatite.
Meaning: object purposed to contain stationery (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| astuccio | masculine | |
| portalapis | /ˌpɔr.taˈla.pis/ | masculine |
| portamatite | /ˌpɔr.ta.maˈti.te/ | masculine |
| portapenne | /ˌpɔr.taˈpen.ne/ | masculine |
An astuccio is an object used to contain stationery items.
Which one should you use?
While astuccio, portalapis, portamatite and portapenne all refer to containers for stationery, astuccio is the most common general term for a pencil case used by students.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of astuccio is astucci. All the provided forms are masculine nouns.
Did you know?
- While astuccio refers to a pencil case, it is also the word used for a jewelry box or a case for glasses.
- The term astuccio comes from the same root as the word for 'shell', implying that the case is a protective husk for the tools inside.
- The word for pens penne is the same word Italians use for 'feathers', reflecting the history of quill pens.
Examples in context
- Questo è un astuccio.This is a pencil case.This sentence is useful for identifying a pencil case.Tatoeba #11548651 by Guybrush88, translation #8972557 by CK
- L'astuccio è sul tavolo.The pencil case is on the table.This sentence is useful for describing the location of a pencil case.Tatoeba #11548764 by Guybrush88, translation #1728504 by belgavox
- Gli comprerò un astuccio.I'll buy him a pencil case.This sentence is useful for expressing the intent to buy an astuccio for someone.Tatoeba #11548816 by Guybrush88, translation #10580097 by LeeSooHa
- Ho lasciato il mio astuccio sulla scrivania.I left my pencil case on the desk.
- Nel mio zainetto c'è un astuccio con tutte le matite.In my backpack, there is a pencil case with all the pencils.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina and Francesco are organizing their school supplies.
- MartinaFrancesco, hai visto il mio astuccio?Francesco, have you seen my pencil case?
- FrancescoSì, è nello zaino di Martina.Yes, it is in Martina's backpack.
- MartinaGrazie, l'astuccio è molto piccolo.Thanks, the pencil case is very small.
- FrancescoSì, ma contiene tutto il necessario.Yes, but it contains everything necessary.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pencil case” translations and entries astuccio, portalapis, portamatite, portapenne, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
