Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| prete | /ˈprɛ.te/ | masculine |
| pope | /ˈpɔ.pe/ | |
| sacerdote | /sa.t͡ʃerˈdɔ.te/ | masculine |
The term prete is used to refer to a clergyman or priest. For a broader term describing any ecclesiastical figure, such as a clergyman or churchman, you can use ecclesiastico. Additionally, when addressing a priest directly, the word padre (father) is commonly used.
Which one should you use?
While prete is the standard term, sacerdote is a more formal or theological term. It is often used in liturgical or historical contexts to refer to a priest or a sacrificing priest.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you want to be more formal, use sacerdote. When addressing a priest directly in Italy, it is common to use the title don before his name.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of prete is preti.
How do you pronounce it?
prete is pronounced /ˈprɛ.te/. The stress is on the first of two syllables.
When do people say it?
You may also address a priest as padre.
Did you know?
- The English word 'pope' actually shares a linguistic ancestor with the Italian word for priest, though it traveled through Slavic languages like Russian and Serbo-Croatian to get here.
- In Italy, the title don is used before a priest's name, but it is not related to the Spanish title of nobility. It is actually a shortened form of the Latin word dominus, which means 'lord' or 'master'.
- In certain Italian dialects or casual settings, calling someone a prete can sound slightly more colloquial or even critical compared to the respectful sacerdote.
Examples in context
- Non è un prete?Aren't you a priest?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is a prete.Tatoeba #9083065 by Guybrush88, translation #6091227 by CK
- Il prete è ateo.The priest is an atheist.This sentence is useful for stating that a prete is an atheist.Tatoeba #2779986 by Guybrush88, translation #2779968 by Hybrid
- Ziri è un prete.Ziri is a priest.This sentence is useful for identifying someone as a prete.Tatoeba #13313024 by Guybrush88, translation #10207999 by Amastan
- Mi sono confessato con il sacerdoteI confessed to the priest
- Il presbitero celebrerà la messa domaniThe priest will celebrate mass tomorrow
- Gli ecclesiastici studiano a lungo prima di diventare pretiEcclesiastics study for a long time before becoming priests
- Quando andrò in chiesa, saluterò il preteWhen I go to church, I'll greet the priest
- Buongiorno, padre. Ho bisogno di confessarmiGood morning, Father. I need to confess
- Il parroco di questa chiesa è molto amato dalla comunitàThe parish priest of this church is beloved by the community
- Il curato celebrerà la messa seraleThe priest will celebrate the evening mass
- Il reverendo celebrerà il matrimonioThe reverend will perform the wedding ceremony
- Buongiorno Monsignore, vorrei parlarleGood morning, Monsignor. I would like to speak with you
- Reverendo Sacerdote, sono onorato di incontrarLaReverend Priest, I'm honored to meet you
- 178 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Francesco are walking past a local church.
- ChiaraChiara, guarda! È il nuovo prete?Chiara, look! Is that the new priest?
- FrancescoSì, Francesco, è lui.Yes, Francesco, that's him.
- ChiaraSembra molto giovane per essere un prete.He seems very young to be a priest.
- FrancescoÈ vero, ma è molto gentile.That's true, but he is very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “priest” translations and entries prete, pope, sacerdote, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pope, prete, sacerdote, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
