nave
/ˈna.ve/feminine
The English word 'ship' is translated into Italian as nave. Wiktionary also lists bastimento and vascello.
Meaning: large water craft (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| nave | /ˈna.ve/ | feminine |
| bastimento | /bas.tiˈmen.to/ | masculine |
| vascello | /vaʃˈʃɛl.lo/ | masculine |
| transatlantico | /tran.saˈtlan.ti.ko/ /tran.zaˈtlan.ti.ko/ |
masculine |
| piroscafo | masculine | |
| naviglio | /naˈviʎ.ʎo/ | masculine |
| battello | /batˈtɛl.lo/ | masculine |
The term refers to a large water craft.
Which one should you use?
nave is the most common and general term for a large ship. In contrast, battello refers to a smaller vessel or a boat, whereas nave refers to a large ship. If you are referring to a large ship designed for transoceanic travel, like an ocean liner, use transatlantico. For technical contexts involving a steam-powered ship, use piroscafo. In literature, you may encounter vascello, which is a more poetic or historical term, often used to describe large sailing vessels or majestic ships in literature.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the feminine noun nave is navi.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈna.ve/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The Italian word nave shares the same root as the English word 'nave' used to describe the central part of a church. This is because the central aisle of a basilica was designed to look like the hull of an overturned ship.
- While nave is the standard term for a ship, the word vascello comes from the Latin word for a small 'vessel' or container. In Italian, this 'small' root evolved into a word used for majestic and powerful historical sailing ships.
- In Italian, the word naviglio refers to a ship but is most famously used to name the ancient canals of Milan, such as the Naviglio Grande. This reflects a time when the city's identity was tied to its waterway transport system.
Examples in context
- Vedo la mia nave.I see my ship.This sentence is useful for practicing the word nave.Tatoeba #4274474 by Guybrush88, translation #2980765 by pne
- È su questa nave.He is on this ship.Tatoeba #9009555 by Guybrush88, translation #5687193 by CH
- È una nave cargo.It's a cargo ship.Tatoeba #13288684 by Guybrush88, translation #2258975 by _undertoad
- Il commerciante ha acquistato una nuova nave per le sue merci.The merchant bought a new ship for his goods.
- Vieni con me sulla mia barca per una gita in mare.Come with me on my boat for a trip at sea.
- 265 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Chiara are watching ships from a pier.
- FrancescoVedi quella nave in lontananza?Do you see that ship in the distance?
- ChiaraSì, è bellissima, Francesco.Yes, it is beautiful, Francesco.
- FrancescoSembra una nave molto antica.It looks like a very old ship.
- ChiaraForse è una nave da museo.Maybe it is a museum ship.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ship” translations and entries nave, bastimento, vascello, transatlantico, piroscafo, naviglio, battello, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bastimento, nave, transatlantico, vascello, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
