Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| morbido | /ˈmɔr.bi.do/ | masculine |
| soffice | /ˈsɔf.fi.t͡ʃe/ | |
| molle | /ˈmɔl.le/ |
The word for 'soft' depends on the specific texture or quality you are describing. Use morbido to describe things that are soft to the touch or have a soft texture, such as bread, butter or a pillow. When specifically talking about the texture of food, morbido is the appropriate choice.
Which one should you use?
Italian uses different words depending on the nuance of softness: morbido refers to things with a soft texture like a pillow. soffice describes things that are soft, light and airy, such as snow or a sponge cake. And molle describes things that are limp or lack firmness, often with a negative connotation like a loose rope or a limp muscle.
How does it change in a sentence?
These adjectives change based on the gender and number of the noun they describe. morbido becomes morbida when describing a feminine noun. The adjective soffice changes to soffici for masculine plural nouns. The adjective molle changes to molli when describing masculine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
morbido is pronounced /ˈmɔr.bi.do/ with the stress on the first of the three syllables.
Did you know?
- The word morbido shares its ancestry with the English word 'morbid'.
- The word molle shares the same Latin root as the English word 'mollify'. To mollify someone is to 'soften' their anger or temper.
- If you call a person molle, you are not saying they are physically soft, but that they are weak-willed or lacks resolve.
Examples in context
- La neve è soffice.The snow is soft.This sentence shows how to use soffice to describe snow.Tatoeba #7042753 by Guybrush88, translation #6644730 by Hybrid
- Il pane è morbido.The bread is soft.This sentence illustrates the use of morbido for bread.Tatoeba #13474663 by Guybrush88, translation #13459103 by sundown
- Il burro è morbido.Butter is soft.This sentence demonstrates morbido used for butter.Tatoeba #3811027 by dif1754, translation #1098092 by cntrational
- Il cuscino è morbidoThe pillow is soft
- La pelle è morbidaThe skin is soft
- La coperta è sofficeThe blanket is soft
- La stoffa è soffice al tattoThe fabric is soft to the touch
- La luce tenueThe soft light
- Il materasso è molleThe mattress is soft
- Il biscotto è teneroThe cookie is soft
- Il divano è morbidoThe sofa is soft
- La poltrona è morbidaThe armchair is soft
- Questi guanti sono molto morbidiThese gloves are very soft
- In tutta Italia abbiamo cuscini morbidi per riposare.Throughout Italy, we have soft pillows to rest on.
- 40 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Chiara are testing a new mattress in a shop.
- FrancescoQuesto materasso è molto morbido.This mattress is very soft.
- ChiaraSì, è davvero comodo per la schiena.Yes, it is really comfortable for the back.
- FrancescoPreferisci un modello più rigido?Do you prefer a firmer model?
- ChiaraNo, mi piace questo tipo morbido.No, I like this soft type.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “soft” translations and entries morbido, soffice, molle, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries molle, morbido, soffice, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
