anima
/ˈa.ni.ma/feminine
The English word 'soul' is translated into Italian as anima.
anima refers to the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death. You may also encounter the idiom anima in pena, which describes a soul in purgatory or a person suffering great mental anguish.
Meaning: the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death (noun)
Which one should you use?
While anima refers to the essence or soul of a person, the word spirito is often used to refer to a ghost or a supernatural entity. Additionally, essenza can describe the essential nature or core of a person.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because anima is a feminine noun starting with a vowel, the indefinite article una drops its 'a' and becomes un'anima.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈa.ni.ma/. The word has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to confuse anima (soul) with animale (animal), which shares a similar root but has a completely different meaning.
Did you know?
- The term anima is used in music to describe the 'soul' or 'soundpost' of a violin, the small piece of wood that transmits vibrations.
- While anima is the spiritual essence, it is also the root of the word animazione, which refers to the process of giving life to drawings.
- The Italian word anima is etymologically linked to the act of breathing, originating from a root meaning 'to breathe'.
Examples in context
- Apri la tua anima.Open your soul.This sentence shows how to use anima when telling someone to open their soul.Tatoeba #11460792 by Guybrush88, translation #8260142 by Amastan
- Dov'è la tua anima?Where is your soul?This sentence uses anima to ask a question about the location of a soul.Tatoeba #14025060 by Guybrush88, translation #13158524 by mexicanhere
- Io non ho un'anima.I have no soul.This sentence uses anima to state that one does not possess a soul.Tatoeba #14025067 by Guybrush88, translation #6003996 by mailohilohi
- L'anima umanaThe human soul
- Il tuo spirito è liberoYour spirit is free
- Ha un animo gentileHe/She has a gentle soul
- Il sentimento è la voce dell'animaFeeling is the voice of the soul
- 95 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Chiara are discussing a beautiful poem.
- FrancescoQuesta poesia parla dell'anima.This poem talks about the soul.
- ChiaraSì, è molto profonda.Yes, it is very deep.
- FrancescoSento la tua anima attraverso le parole.I feel your soul through the words.
- ChiaraGrazie, Francesco, sei molto gentile.Thank you, Francesco, you are very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “soul” translations and entries anima, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anima, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
