seme
/ˈse.me/
The Italian word for seed is seme.
In an agricultural context, seme refers to any propagative portion of a plant that can be sown. Beyond biology, it is used metaphorically to describe the origin or cause of an idea, a feeling or a social movement, much like the word seed is used in English.
Meaning: agriculture: any propagative portion of a plant which may be sown (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
seme is a masculine noun. Its plural form is semi.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈse.me/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
When do people say it?
Italian culture includes the proverb Chi semina vento, raccoglie tempesta, which translates to 'Who sows the wind reaps the whirlwind.' Common food-related phrases include Semi di papavero (poppy seeds), Semi di sesamo (sesame seeds) and Olio di semi (seed oil).
Did you know?
- The Italian term for a 'seed' in the context of a sports tournament bracket is testa di serie, which literally translates to 'head of the series'.
- The verb seminare can be used colloquially to mean 'to leave someone far behind' in a race, as if planting them in the ground.
- The Italian word seme is a direct cousin of the English word 'semen', as both derive from the Latin sēmen.
Examples in context
- Il seme della rivoluzione è la repressione.The seed of revolution is repression.This sentence uses seme to show how a concept can act as a starting point for a movement.Tatoeba #2901915 by Guybrush88, translation #1142121 by DarkLinkXXXX
- Ogni donazione viene percepita come piantare un seme di speranza.Every donation feels like planting a seed of hope.This sentence uses seme to describe the metaphorical planting of a feeling.Tatoeba #13270103 by Nuel, translation #13270101 by Nuel
- Se si pianta un seme di mela, potrebbe diventare un albero.If you plant an apple seed, it might grow into a tree.This sentence uses seme in a literal agricultural sense regarding an apple tree.Tatoeba #4634610 by Guybrush88, translation #681742 by Source_VOA
- Sto piantando semi nel mio orto.I am planting seeds in my garden.
- Questo pane è guarnito con semi di girasole.This bread is topped with sunflower seeds.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina and Alessandro are gardening together in the backyard.
- MartinaQuale seme vuoi piantare oggi, Alessandro?Which seed do you want to plant today, Alessandro?
- AlessandroVorrei usare questo seme di zucca.I would like to use this pumpkin seed.
- MartinaIl seme va messo a poca profondità.The seed should be placed at a shallow depth.
- AlessandroHai ragione, farò così.You are right, I will do that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry seme, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries seme, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
