rotolare
/ro.toˈla.re/
To roll over in Italian is rotolare.
The verb rotolare is used for objects that roll, such as a ball or a wheel, as well as for a person rolling over on a surface.
Meaning: to make a rolling motion or turn (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
rotolare is a regular second-conjugation verb ending in -are. Its past participle is rotolato and its gerund form is rotolando.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable: /ro.toˈla.re/.
Did you know?
- While rotolare describes the act of rolling, the word for a 'roller coaster' is montagne russe, which literally translates to 'Russian mountains'.
- The word rotolare comes from the Latin rotula, which means 'a little wheel'.
- The verb rotolare is used in the idiom rotolare nella polvere, which means to be completely humiliated or brought low, similar to the English 'to bite the dust'.
Examples in context
- Girati, Tommy!Roll over, Tommy!
- La palla può rotolare sul prato.The ball can roll on the grass.
- Voglio rotolare sulla sabbia della spiaggia.I want to roll on the beach sand.
- Guarda come può rotolare velocemente!Look how fast it can roll!
Example conversation
Sofia and Matteo are watching a ball in a park.
- SofiaMatteo, guarda quella palla!Matteo, look at that ball!
- MatteoSì, può rotolare giù dalla collina.Yes, it can roll down the hill.
- SofiaVediamo se riesce a rotolare nel bosco.Let's see if it manages to roll into the woods.
- MatteoSpero di non doverla recuperare!I hope I don't have to go get it!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry rotolare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rotolare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
