frigorifero
/fri.ɡoˈri.fe.ro/masculine
The Italian word for refrigerator is frigorifero. Wiktionary also lists frigo.
Meaning: appliance (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| frigorifero | /fri.ɡoˈri.fe.ro/ | masculine |
| frigo | /ˈfri.ɡo/ | masculine |
The word refers to the appliance (noun).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The shortened form frigo is the common informal way to say 'refrigerator' in everyday conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing that something is 'in the fridge', Italians often omit the article, using the phrase in frigo instead of nel frigorifero.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 5 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable: /fri.ɡoˈri.fe.ro/.
Did you know?
- The word frigorifero was constructed as a mirror image of the French word calorifère, which means 'heater'. While one brings heat, the other brings cold.
- Before the frigorifero became common, Italians used a ghiacciaia, which was an ice-house or a cold cellar dug into the ground.
- In Italian, the suffix -fero in frigorifero comes from the Latin ferre, meaning 'to carry' or 'to bring'. This makes a refrigerator literally a 'cold-bringer'.
Examples in context
- Il frigo è sporco.The refrigerator is dirty.This sentence is useful for describing the cleanliness of the frigo.Tatoeba #5162344 by Guybrush88, translation #5162342 by CarpeLanam
- Il frigo è chiuso.The refrigerator is closed.This sentence is useful for stating that the frigo is closed.Tatoeba #7258550 by Guybrush88, translation #5152850 by CarpeLanam
- Non c'è nulla in frigo.There's nothing in the refrigerator.This sentence is useful for saying there is nothing inside the frigo.Tatoeba #4833261 by Guybrush88, translation #6048529 by CK
- Io metto le verdure fresche nel frigorifero.I put fresh vegetables in the refrigerator.
- Puoi mettere la birra nel frigo?Can you put the beer in the fridge?
- 92 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Francesco are in their new apartment.
- GiuliaFrancesco, dove possiamo mettere il frigorifero?Francesco, where can we put the refrigerator?
- FrancescoPossiamo metterlo nell'angolo della cucina.We can put it in the corner of the kitchen.
- GiuliaÈ un buon posto per il frigorifero.It is a good place for the refrigerator.
- FrancescoVa bene, lo sposto subito.Okay, I will move it right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “refrigerator” translations and entries frigorifero, frigo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries frigo, frigorifero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
