cantante
/kanˈtan.te/masculine
The English word "singer" is cantante in Italian.
cantante is the general term used for a person who sings, whether referring to a male or used as a generic term. If you are specifically referring to a singer-songwriter, you would use cantautore for a male or cantautrice for a female. For those who perform religious or liturgical music, the more formal and poetic term cantore is often used.
Meaning: person who sings (male or generic term) (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word cantante is formed from the verb cantare (to sing) and the suffix -ante, which identifies the agent or the person performing the action.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of cantante is cantanti.
How do you pronounce it?
/kanˈtan.te/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the word cantante ends in -e, which makes it an 'epicene' noun, meaning it does not change its ending to indicate gender.
- While cantante is the standard word for 'singer', Italian opera houses historically used the term divo or diva, meaning 'divine', to describe superstar singers.
- The word cantante is a distant relative of the English word 'chant', both tracing back to the Latin root 'cantare'.
Examples in context
- Lei è un cantante.You are a singer.This sentence is useful for showing how to use cantante when addressing someone directly.Tatoeba #2181339 by Guybrush88, translation #628352 by AmberShadow
- Lui è un cantante.He is a singer.This sentence is useful for describing a male subject using cantante.Tatoeba #2696584 by Guybrush88, translation #2696454 by lucasmg123
- È un bravo cantante.He is a good singer.This sentence demonstrates how to use the adjective 'bravo' with cantante.Tatoeba #1992546 by Guybrush88, translation #294493 by CK
- La signora è una cantante lirica di talentoThe lady is a talented opera singer.
- La cantatrice è molto famosa nel mondo dell'operaThe female singer is very famous in the world of opera.
- Sono un cantante appassionato di musica popI am a passionate pop singer.
- La cantautrice sta per pubblicare il suo nuovo albumThe singer-songwriter is about to release her new album.
- Sono un cantante rockI am a rock singer.
- La cantante jazz ha una voce unica e suggestiva. I suoi concerti sono eccezionali.The jazz singer has a unique and evocative voice. Her concerts are exceptional.
- Il gruppo musicale ha bisogno di un cantante per completare la formazione.The music band needs a singer to complete the lineup.
- 266 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Martina are discussing a concert at a cafe.
- AlessandroConosci quel cantante?Do you know that singer?
- MartinaSì, è un cantante molto famoso.Yes, he is a very famous singer.
- AlessandroVuoi andare a un suo concerto?Do you want to go to one of his concerts?
- MartinaCertamente, mi piace molto la sua voce.Certainly, I like his voice very much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “singer” translations and entries cantante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
