pianoforte
/ˌpja.noˈfɔr.te/masculine
The English phrase 'piano' can be translated into Italian as pianoforte or piano.
Meaning: a keyboard musical instrument (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pianoforte | /ˌpja.noˈfɔr.te/ | masculine |
| piano | /ˈpja.no/ | masculine |
In Italian, the word refers to the keyboard musical instrument. It is a masculine noun.
What does it mean word for word?
The term pianoforte is a compound word consisting of piano, meaning 'soft' and forte, meaning 'loud'.
Which one should you use?
pianoforte is the full technical name of the instrument, while piano is the much more common way to refer to it in everyday speech.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are talking about playing the instrument, use the definite article: suonare il piano. To refer specifically to the instrument, you can use il pianoforte.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable: /ˌpja.noˈfɔr.te/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may confuse the noun piano (the instrument) with the adverbial use of piano, which means 'softly' or 'slowly'.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the word piano is a versatile homonym that can refer to a musical instrument, a floor or level of a building, and a detailed plan or scheme.
- The instrument was invented in Italy around 1700 by Bartolomeo Cristofori, who called it the gravicembalo col piano e forte.
- The word piano shares a linguistic root with the English word 'plain', as both derive from the Latin plānus meaning 'flat' or 'level'.
Examples in context
- Tom ha un piano?Does Tom have a piano?This example shows how to ask if someone possesses a piano.Tatoeba #5616417 by Guybrush88, translation #6660907 by CK
- Nancy ha un piano.Nancy has a piano.This example shows how to state that someone possesses a piano.Tatoeba #373817 by Pharamp, translation #36189 by CN
- Io suono il piano.I play piano.This example shows how to use the phrase 'suonare il piano' to talk about playing the instrument.Tatoeba #2758493 by Guybrush88, translation #866345 by elaichi
- Suono il pianoforteI play the piano
- Mi piace suonare il pianoI enjoy playing the piano
- Ho comprato il piano!I bought the piano!
- Maria suona il piano molto bene, vero?Maria plays the piano very well, doesn't she?
- 550 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Giulia are at a music store.
- MatteoGuarda questo pianoforte, è bellissimo!Look at this piano, it is beautiful!
- GiuliaSì, ma costa troppo per me.Yes, but it costs too much for me.
- MatteoVuoi provare a suonare il pianoforte?Do you want to try playing the piano?
- GiuliaCerto, grazie Matteo.Of course, thank you Matteo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “piano” translations and entries pianoforte, piano, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries piano, pianoforte, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
