affilato
/af.fiˈla.to/
The Italian word for 'sharp' (meaning able to cut easily) is affilato. Wiktionary also lists aguzzo.
Meaning: able to cut easily (adj)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| affilato | /af.fiˈla.to/ |
| aguzzo | /aˈɡut.t͡so/ /aˈɡud.d͡zo/ |
What does it mean word for word?
The word affilato is the past participle of the verb affilare (to sharpen), so it literally means 'sharpened'.
Which one should you use?
While affilato is the standard term for a sharp edge, aguzzo can also be used to mean sharp.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, affilato must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. It becomes affilata for feminine singular nouns, affilati for masculine plural nouns and affilate for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/af.fiˈla.to/. The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- In Italian music notation, a 'sharp' symbol is called diesis. This word comes from Greek and is entirely unrelated to the adjectives used for cutting edges.
- When describing a 'sharp' cheese, Italians do not use affilato or aguzzo, but instead use the word piccante, which means 'spicy' or 'piquant'.
- To describe a 'sharp' turn in the road, Italians use the word stretto, which literally means 'narrow'. Calling a turn affilato would be incorrect.
Examples in context
- Il coltello è affilato.The knife is sharp.This sentence shows how to describe a knife as being sharp using affilato.Tatoeba #11490429 by Guybrush88, translation #6116194 by mailohilohi
- Usa un coltello affilato.Use a sharp knife.This sentence provides an instruction to use a knife that is sharp using affilato.Tatoeba #14020768 by Guybrush88, translation #13625687 by CK
- Il mio coltello è affilato.My knife is sharp.This sentence demonstrates how to say a knife is sharp using affilato.Tatoeba #4867673 by Guybrush88, translation #2549030 by CK
- Ha un orecchio molto acuto.He has a very acute ear.
- Hai visto le lame del tritatutto? Sono davvero taglienti!Have you seen the blades of the shredder? They are really sharp!
- Questa matita ha un punto molto appuntito.This pencil has a very sharp point.
- Il formaggio gorgonzola ha un sapore molto pungente.Gorgonzola cheese has a very sharp taste.
- 39 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Alessandro are preparing to cook in the kitchen.
- GiuliaAlessandro, questo coltello è ancora affilato?Alessandro, is this knife still sharp?
- AlessandroSì, Giulia, taglia benissimo.Yes, Giulia, it cuts very well.
- GiuliaFai attenzione perché il bordo è affilato.Be careful because the edge is sharp.
- AlessandroLo so, sarò prudente.I know, I will be careful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sharp” translations and entries affilato, aguzzo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
