tetto
/ˈtet.to/masculine
The Italian word for roof is tetto.
The word tetto refers to the cover at the top of a building. It is also used in the idiom sotto un tetto, which means 'under one roof', functioning much like the English equivalent.
Meaning: the cover at the top of a building (noun)
Which one should you use?
While tetto refers to the structural roof of a building, the term copertura is used as a more technical word to describe the general covering or roofing material of a structure.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of tetto is tetti.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtet.to/. The word has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word tetto shares the same Latin ancestor as the English word 'tectonic', which relates to the structure and building of the Earth's crust.
- In Italian, the phrase tetto massimo is used to describe a 'price ceiling' or a maximum limit in financial and legal contexts.
- The phrase alzare il tetto is not a common idiom for partying like the English 'raise the roof', as it would be interpreted literally in Italian.
Examples in context
- Tom è sul tetto.Tom is on the roof.This sentence is useful for seeing the location of someone on the tetto.Tatoeba #1548378 by Guybrush88, translation #1461958 by Spamster
- Io sarò sul tetto.I'll be up on the roof.This sentence shows the use of the future tense with tetto.Tatoeba #3055426 by Guybrush88, translation #2546714 by CK
- Io sono sul tetto.I'm on the roof.This sentence demonstrates a simple statement of being on the tetto.Tatoeba #4116584 by Guybrush88, translation #2549502 by CK
- Ho bisogno di riparare il tetto della mia casa.I need to fix the roof of my house.
- L'edificio ha una copertura molto solida.The building has a very solid roof.
- Devo cambiare alcune tegole del tetto perché sono rotte.I need to replace some roof tiles because they are broken.
- 145 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Sofia are looking at an old house.
- LorenzoGuarda quel tetto, Sofia.Look at that roof, Sofia.
- SofiaSì, Lorenzo, è molto rovinato.Yes, Lorenzo, it is very damaged.
- LorenzoDobbiamo cambiare il tetto presto.We must change the roof soon.
- SofiaHai ragione, è necessario.You are right, it is necessary.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “roof” translations and entries tetto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tetto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
