fossa
/ˈfɔs.sa/feminine
The English phrase "pit" can be translated into Italian using fossa, buca or buco.
Meaning: hole in the ground (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| fossa | /ˈfɔs.sa/ | feminine |
| buca | /ˈbu.ka/ | feminine |
| buco | /ˈbu.ko/ | masculine |
All three terms refer to a hole in the ground.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form buca has the plural buche (holes/potholes). The feminine form fossa has the plural fosse (pits/trenches). The masculine form buco has the plural buchi (holes).
How do you pronounce it?
fossa is pronounced /ˈfɔs.sa/. It has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- While fossa means 'pit', it is also the standard Italian word for a 'grave'.
- The word buca shares an ancient root with the Latin word for 'mouth', meaning a 'mouth-like' opening.
- The word fossa is used in music to describe the 'orchestra pit' in a theater.
Examples in context
- Ho scavato una fossa.I dug a pit.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use fossa in a sentence.Tatoeba #2277789 by Guybrush88, translation #507271 by CM
- c'è una buca quiThere is a pit here
- sono caduto in un fossoI fell into a pit
- Fai attenzione, c'è un fosso là davanti!Be careful, there's a pit up ahead!
- La fossa è molto profonda.The pit is very deep.
- Abbiamo trovato una fossa nel giardino.We found a pit in the garden.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Giulia are walking in the countryside.
- FrancescoGiulia, guarda! C'è una fossa qui.Giulia, look! There is a pit here.
- GiuliaOh, è davvero molto grande!Oh, it is really very big!
- FrancescoSì, non cadere nella fossa.Yes, don't fall into the pit.
- GiuliaTranquillo Francesco, starò attenta.Don't worry Francesco, I'll be careful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pit” translations and entries fossa, buca, buco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries buca, buco, fossa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
