zaffiro
/ˈd͡zaf.fi.ro/masculine
The Italian word for sapphire is zaffiro.
Meaning: gem (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
zaffiro is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable. The IPA transcription is /ˈdzaf.fi.ro/.
Did you know?
- The word zaffiro traces back to the Ancient Greek word for 'lapis lazuli' rather than the blue gemstone we modernly associate with the term.
- The adjective zaffireo means 'sapphire-colored' but is almost never used in daily speech. It is reserved for poetry and high literature.
- In Italian heraldry, the color representing a zaffiro is called azzurro. Although the sapphire is the symbolic stone, the formal name for the color differs.
Examples in context
- Devo cambiare lo zaffiro del mio fonografo.I have to change the sapphire of my phonograph.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use zaffiro when referring to a part of a machine.Tatoeba #7049287 by Guybrush88, translation #6695374 by Eccles17
- Mi piacerebbe regalare a mia madre un anello con uno splendido zaffiro.I would like to gift my mother a ring with a stunning sapphire.
- Il colore dello zaffiro è bellissimo.The color of the sapphire is beautiful.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Giulia are looking at jewelry in a shop.
- FrancescoGuarda questo splendido zaffiro, Giulia.Look at this splendid sapphire, Giulia.
- GiuliaÈ davvero stupendo, Francesco.It is truly wonderful, Francesco.
- FrancescoTi piacerebbe indossarlo stasera?Would you like to wear it tonight?
- GiuliaSì, sarebbe un regalo bellissimo.Yes, it would be a beautiful gift.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sapphire” translations and entries zaffiro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries zaffiro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
