starnuto
The Italian word for 'sneeze' is starnuto.
starnuto functions as the act of sneezing (the noun).
Meaning: expel air as a reflex (verb)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of sneezing, use the verb starnutire. The third-person singular present tense (he/she sneezes) is starnutisce, and the past participle (sneezed) is starnutito.
Did you know?
- In Italian folklore, a single sneeze is sometimes interpreted as a sign that someone is thinking about you or speaking of you.
- While Salute is the common reply, some people respond with Per mille anni, meaning 'for a thousand years'.
- If you sneeze multiple times in a row, an Italian might jokingly ask if you are 'starnutendo a raffica', meaning 'sneezing in bursts' like machine-gun fire.
Examples in context
- Mi scusi, ho appena avuto uno starnuto.Excuse me, I just had a sneeze.
Example conversation
Giulia and Lorenzo are in the living room.
- GiuliaSalute, Lorenzo!Bless you, Lorenzo!
- LorenzoGrazie, ho starnuto all'improvviso.Thanks, I sneezed suddenly.
- GiuliaHai il raffreddore oggi?Do you have a cold today?
- LorenzoNo, è solo la polvere.No, it is just the dust.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry starnuto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
