scivoloso
/ʃi.voˈlo.zo/
The English word 'slippery' is translated into Italian as scivoloso. Wiktionary also lists sdrucciolevole.
Meaning: of a surface (adj)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| scivoloso | /ʃi.voˈlo.zo/ |
| sdrucciolevole | /zdrut.t͡ʃoˈle.vo.le/ |
It is derived from the verb scivolare, which means 'to slip'.
Which one should you use?
While both mean slippery, scivoloso is the common word for physical surfaces, whereas sdrucciolevole is a more formal or technical term often used in literature or specific contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective scivoloso must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃi.voˈlo.zo/. The word has 4 syllables and the stress is on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- The term sdrucciolevole is not just a formal version of 'slippery', it is also a linguistic term used to describe a word with an accent on the third-to-last syllable.
- The verb scivolare is used in the common expression scivolare via, which can mean both physically slipping away and avoiding a difficult topic.
- In many Italian regions, a warning sign for a slippery floor is often just the word Attenzione (Attention), rather than a phrase describing the slipperiness itself.
Examples in context
- Il pavimento è scivoloso.The floor is slippery.This sentence is useful for describing the state of a floor with scivoloso.Tatoeba #6122495 by Guybrush88, translation #5801951 by Eccles17
- Sii prudente. È scivoloso.Be careful. It's slippery.This sentence is useful for giving a warning about a slippery condition using scivoloso.Tatoeba #7831318 by Guybrush88, translation #7830074 by CK
- Il marciapiede è scivoloso.The sidewalk is slippery.This sentence is useful for describing the state of a sidewalk with scivoloso.Tatoeba #8663441 by Guybrush88, translation #6354957 by CK
- Prestate attenzione, il pavimento è molto scivoloso oggi.Pay attention, the floor is very slippery today.
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Chiara are walking in a park after it rained.
- FrancescoAttenta, Chiara, il prato è molto scivoloso.Be careful, Chiara, the grass is very slippery.
- ChiaraHai ragione, devo fare più attenzione.You're right, I have to be more careful.
- FrancescoPreferisco camminare sulla strada asfaltata.I prefer walking on the paved road.
- ChiaraSì, è molto più sicuro per noi.Yes, it is much safer for us.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slippery” translations and entries scivoloso, sdrucciolevole, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
