frase
/ˈfra.ze/feminine
In Italian, the word for sentence is frase.
frase is used to refer to a grammatically complete series of words consisting of a subject and predicate.
Meaning: grammatically complete series of words consisting of a subject and predicate (noun)
Which one should you use?
While frase is the general term for a sentence or phrase, periodo is used specifically in linguistics to refer to a complex sentence containing more than one clause.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word frase is a feminine noun. The plural of 'frase' is frasi.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈfra.ze/. It has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use frase to mean a legal sentence (a judicial ruling), but in that context, one should use sentenza.
Did you know?
- While frase means a linguistic sentence, the word for a prison sentence is condanna or pena. Using frase in a criminal context would sound like you are talking about the grammar of the judge's speech.
- In Italian, a 'catchphrase' or a 'slogan' is referred to as a frase a effetto, which literally translates to a 'sentence with an effect'.
- The word frase traces back to the Ancient Greek word phrásis, which originally meant a 'manner of expression' rather than a specific grammatical unit.
Examples in context
- Non è una frase?Isn't that a sentence?This sentence is useful for asking if something is a sentence.Tatoeba #13182087 by Guybrush88, translation #11520812 by shekitten
- La frase va bene.The sentence is OK.This sentence is useful for stating that a sentence is correct.Tatoeba #13181861 by Guybrush88, translation #2882243 by _undertoad
- La frase è falsa.The sentence is false.This sentence is useful for stating that a sentence is false.Tatoeba #13181988 by Guybrush88, translation #9867037 by shekitten
- 881 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Matteo are looking at a text in a book.
- ChiaraQuesta frase è molto difficile.This sentence is very difficult.
- MatteoHai ragione, non capisco bene.You're right, I don't understand it well.
- ChiaraProviamo a leggere la frase insieme.Let's try to read the sentence together.
- MatteoSì, grazie per l'aiuto.Yes, thanks for the help.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sentence” translations and entries frase, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries frase, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
