semaforo rosso
/seˈma.fo.ro ˈros.so/word by word
The English phrase red light is translated into Italian as semaforo rosso.
Use semaforo rosso when you are referring specifically to a traffic signal. If you are referring to the physical color of light, such as a red light in a room, you would use luce rossa instead.
Meaning: a warning light, especially as a traffic signal (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of semaforo (traffic light) and rosso (red).
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form for red lights is semafori rossi.
Did you know?
- In some Italian cities, you may see a semaforo that includes a fourth light, often a white arrow. This indicates that certain lanes may move even when the main signal is rosso.
- The term semaforo comes from the Greek words for 'sign' and 'to carry', meaning a device that carries a sign to the public.
- When Italians talk about 'stopping at a red light', they often say they are 'at the semaforo'. The mention of the color rosso is frequently omitted because the act of stopping implies the light is red.
Examples in context
- Vidi il semaforo rosso.I saw the red light.Tatoeba #6143229 by Guybrush88, translation #4958677 by CarpeLanam
- Si è fermato al semaforo rosso?Did you stop at the red light?Tatoeba #6063228 by Guybrush88, translation #272444 by CK
- Non fermò l'auto al semaforo rosso.He did not stop his car at the red light.Tatoeba #2424350 by Guybrush88, translation #300594 by CK
- Mi fermo al rossoI stop at the red light
- Ho dovuto aspettare il rosso per un'eternità oggi.I had to wait at the red light for an eternity today.
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Martina are sitting in a car at a traffic stop.
- LorenzoPerché non partiamo?Why aren't we starting?
- MartinaGuarda, c'è il semaforo rosso.Look, there is a red light.
- LorenzoHai ragione, non l'avevo visto.You're right, I hadn't seen it.
- MartinaAspetta che non sia più semaforo rosso.Wait until it is no longer a red light.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (semaforo, rosso) and can differ in connected speech.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
