Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| affilare | /af.fiˈla.re/ |
| arrotare | /ar.roˈta.re/ |
| affinare | /af.fiˈna.re/ |
The Italian language provides different verbs for sharpening based on whether you are talking about a physical edge, a specific tool or a figurative skill.
Which one should you use?
affilare is the most common and general term used for sharpening a blade or any kind of edge. arrotare is more specific and implies the act of sharpening using a stone or a rotating wheel, such as a whetstone. affinare is used figuratively to mean 'to refine' or 'to hone' a skill, a sense or a quality rather than a physical object.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word affilato is the past participle of affilare and is used to describe an object that has been sharpened.
How do you pronounce it?
The word affilare has four syllables, with the stress on the third syllable: /af.fiˈla.re/.
Did you know?
- The verb affinare is used in the world of gourmet food to describe the process of 'aging' or 'refining' cheese and wine.
- The term filo within affilare refers to the 'edge' of a knife, but it is also the word used for a 'thread' or 'wire'.
- The verb arrotare contains the root 'ruota', which means 'wheel', highlighting that the word is etymologically tied to the circular motion of a sharpening stone.
Examples in context
- Mia madre deve ammolare le forbici.My mother needs to sharpen the scissors.
- Ho messo a filo la lama del coltello.I sharpened the blade of the knife.
- Ho bisogno di dare una spinta al mio italiano.I need to sharpen my Italian.
- Devo affilare il coltello da cucina.I need to sharpen the kitchen knife.
- Puoi affilare queste forbici per me?Can you sharpen these scissors for me?
- L'artigiano deve affilare la lama con cura.The craftsman must sharpen the blade carefully.
Example conversation
Francesco and Chiara are preparing dinner together in the kitchen.
- FrancescoChiara, questo coltello non taglia più.Chiara, this knife doesn't cut anymore.
- ChiaraDobbiamo affilare la lama subito.We need to sharpen the blade immediately.
- FrancescoHai una pietra per affilare qui?Do you have a sharpening stone here?
- ChiaraSì, Francesco, è nel cassetto.Yes, Francesco, it is in the drawer.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sharpen” translations and entries affilare, arrotare, affinare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
