Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| scivolare | /ʃi.voˈla.re/ |
| sdrucciolare | |
| slittare | /zlitˈta.re/ |
| sgusciare | /zɡuʃˈʃa.re/ |
The verb forms in Italian vary depending on whether you are describing a physical loss of traction, a mechanical issue or a figurative movement.
Which one should you use?
scivolare is the standard verb used for losing traction on a surface like ice or a wet floor. slittare is specifically used when describing a loss of traction by wheels, tires or mechanical parts, such as a car slipping on snow. sgusciare is used when someone slips out of a situation or through a small opening, rather than losing physical traction.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
scivolare is an intransitive verb and does not take a direct object when describing the act of slipping. The noun form for the act of slipping or the phenomenon of sliding is scivolamento.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ʃi.voˈla.re/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- The word slittare may have Germanic roots, making it a distant relative of the Old High German word slītan meaning 'to slide'.
Examples in context
- Non scivolare sul ghiaccio.Don't slip on the ice.This sentence is useful for giving a warning about ice using scivolare.Tatoeba #3161665 by Guybrush88, translation #3022625 by sharptoothed
- Vidi Tom scivolare e cadere.I saw Tom slip and fall.This sentence describes an observation of someone using scivolare.Tatoeba #6536207 by Guybrush88, translation #6531971 by CK
- Fai attenzione a non scivolare!Be careful not to slip!This sentence is a caution to be careful using scivolare.Tatoeba #3559407 by Guybrush88, translation #2733023 by Hybrid
- Mi sono fatto uno scivolone sul ghiaccio.I slipped on the ice.
- Bisogna fare attenzione, la strada è molto scivolosa.We need to be careful, the road is very slippery.
- Ha fatto una sdrucciolata sull'asfalto bagnato.He slipped on the wet pavement.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Lorenzo are walking on a rainy sidewalk.
- ChiaraGuarda che pavimento bagnato, potresti scivolare!Look at that wet floor, you could slip!
- LorenzoHai ragione, camminerò più piano.You're right, I'll walk slower.
- ChiaraHo visto qualcuno scivolare proprio qui prima.I saw someone slip right here before.
- LorenzoGrazie per l'avvertimento, Chiara.Thanks for the warning, Chiara.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slip” translations and entries scivolare, sdrucciolare, slittare, sgusciare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries scivolare, sdrucciolare, sgusciare, slittare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
