riva
/ˈri.va/feminine
The Italian word for shore is riva.
riva refers to the land adjoining a large body of water.
Meaning: land adjoining a large body of water (noun)
Which one should you use?
While riva can mean shore, it is also the standard word for the bank of a river or a canal. Use riva to refer to the edge or boundary of the water, whereas spiaggia refers specifically to a sandy beach used for recreation. The word litorale is a more technical or geographical term used to describe a coastline or a stretch of shore.
How does it change in a sentence?
The preposition su (on) combines with the article la to form the articulated preposition sulla when describing something located on the shore.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈri.va/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The Italian word riva is a linguistic relative of the English word 'riparian', which describes things relating to the banks of a river.
- The phrase stare alla riva can be used figuratively to describe someone who remains a bystander or refuses to get involved in a situation.
- While riva describes the edge of the water, the term lungariva refers to a promenade or street that runs alongside a river bank, often a central social hub in Italian cities.
Examples in context
- Le onde si increspavano verso la riva.The waves rippled towards shore.This sentence is useful for describing waves moving towards the riva.Tatoeba #11800777 by Nuel, translation #11800776 by Nuel
- Le piccole barche dovrebbero abbracciare la riva.Small boats should hug the shore.This sentence is useful for describing boats approaching the riva.Tatoeba #12168745 by Guybrush88, translation #12168736 by CK
- Trovarono la nave completamente naufragata sulla riva.They found the ship completely wrecked on the shore.This sentence is useful for describing a wreck found on the riva.Tatoeba #13178300 by Nuel, translation #13178299 by Nuel
- La riva di questo lago è magnifica!The shore of this lake is magnificent!
- Il villaggio si trova sulla riva del mare.The village is located on the seaside.
- Andiamo in spiaggia domani!Let's go to the beach tomorrow!
- La spiaggia qui è bellissima.The shore/beach here is beautiful.
- La costa qui è incantevole!The shore here is enchanting!
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina and Lorenzo are walking along the beach.
- MartinaGuarda quanta sabbia c'è sulla riva!Look how much sand there is on the shore!
- LorenzoSì, è un posto bellissimo per passeggiare.Yes, it is a beautiful place for a walk.
- MartinaPossiamo camminare lungo la riva fino al porto?Can we walk along the shore to the harbor?
- LorenzoCerto, Lorenzo è d'accordo con te.Of course, Lorenzo agrees with you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shore” translations and entries riva, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
