snello
/ˈznɛl.lo/
The English phrase slender is translated into Italian as snello.
The term is used to describe a person who is attractively thin and graceful. While it describes a positive physical quality, you should distinguish it from the word magro, which is a more neutral or even negative term for being thin.
Which one should you use?
Snello implies an attractive and graceful thinness. In contrast, magro is used for being thin in a more neutral or negative sense. Additionally, sottile can also be used to convey the idea of being slender, slim or thin.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes its ending depending on the gender and number of the people being described: use snella for a female person, snelli for a group of men or a mixed-gender group and snelle for a group of women.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈznɛl.lo/. It has two syllables and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The root of snello is a Germanic loanword, meaning it entered the Italian language through ancient Frankish influence rather than originating from Latin.
- The word snello can also be used metaphorically to describe a process or a piece of writing that is 'lean' and lacks unnecessary fluff.
- In Italian, sottile is used for 'slender' when describing objects like a line or a waist, but it is rarely used for a person's overall physique.
Examples in context
- Tom è snello, vero?Tom is slender, isn't he?This sentence is useful for confirming a person's physical description using snello.Tatoeba #5582515 by Guybrush88, translation #3730458 by CM
- La ballerina ha una figura esile e aggraziata.The ballerina has a slender and graceful figure.
- La modella ha una corporatura sottile.The model has a slender build.
- Marco è un ragazzo magro ma ancora atletico.Marco is a slender but still athletic guy.
- La ballerina ha una figura esile, sembra quasi eterea mentre danza.The ballerina has a slender figure, almost ethereal while dancing.
- Samantha ha una corporatura sottile, è molto flessibile grazie al suo corpo esile.Samantha has a slender build, she is very flexible due to her slim body.
- Adoro i tuoi abiti, ti donano molto con la tua silhouette snella.I love your clothes, they suit you well with your slender silhouette.
- Alessio è un ragazzo molto magro, ma non per questo meno energico.Alessio is a very slender guy, but no less energetic because of it.
- Lui è un ragazzo molto snello.He is a very slender boy.
Example conversation
Alessandro and Sofia are discussing a person on a television show.
- AlessandroGuarda quell'attore, è molto snello.Look at that actor, he is very slender.
- SofiaSì, ha una figura molto atletica.Yes, he has a very athletic figure.
- AlessandroÈ proprio il tipo ideale.He is exactly the ideal type.
- SofiaHai proprio ragione, Alessandro.You are quite right, Alessandro.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry snello, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries snello, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
