scavare
/skaˈva.re/
The English phrase 'scoop out' can be translated into Italian as scavare.
The verb scavare is used to mean 'to scoop out' when the action involves removing earth or a substance to create a cavity. It can also be translated as 'to dig' or 'to excavate'.
Which one should you use?
While scavare implies the act of digging or creating a hole, it is used for 'scooping out' when the action involves removing earth or a substance to create a cavity.
How does it change in a sentence?
scavare is an intransitive or transitive verb that can mean to scoop out, to dig or to excavate.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /skaˈva.re/. It has three syllables, and the stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- In Italian, if you are 'scooping out' something soft like ice cream or a pumpkin, you would likely use svuotare meaning 'to empty' rather than scavare.
- The word scavare originates from the Latin word excavāre, which combined the prefix for 'out' with the word for 'hollow'.
- When describing the 'scooping out' of a cave or a canyon by water, Italians use scavare to describe the natural erosion process over millions of years.
Examples in context
- Puoi semplicemente togliere a cucchiaiate il gelato dalla vaschetta.You can simply scoop out the ice cream from the tub.
- Ha scavato un buco nella sabbia.He scooped out a hole in the sand.
- Stiamo cercando di scavare la sabbia dalla vasca.We are trying to scoop out the sand from the tub.
Example conversation
Chiara and Alessandro are preparing a vegetable dish.
- ChiaraAlessandro, puoi scavare l'interno di questo peperone?Alessandro, can you scoop out the inside of this pepper?
- AlessandroCertamente, uso il cucchiaio?Of course, should I use the spoon?
- ChiaraSì, è più facile così.Yes, it is easier that way.
- AlessandroEcco fatto, l'ho svuotato completamente.There you go, I scooped it out completely.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry scavare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries scavare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
