motoscafo
/mo.tosˈka.fo/
The Italian word for speedboat is motoscafo.
motoscafo is a noun used to refer to a fast boat.
Meaning: fast boat (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of moto (motor or motion) and scafo (hull).
How does it change in a sentence?
motoscafo is a masculine noun. Its plural form is motoscafi.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has four syllables and the stress is on the third syllable: /mo.tosˈka.fo/.
Did you know?
- The term motoscafo is distinct from motore marino, which refers only to the engine. Using moto alone to mean a boat would be a mistake, as moto is common shorthand for motocicletta (motorcycle).
- The term is often associated with the glamour of the 'Dolce Vita' era in Italian cinema, where high-speed chases or romantic escapes in a motoscafo were common tropes.
- In the context of Lake Como, motoscafo often refers to the traditional water taxis that transport tourists between villas, rather than just a private racing boat.
Examples in context
- Che bel motoscafo! Mi piacerebbe averne uno così veloce.What a beautiful speedboat! I would love to have one that fast.
- Il motoscafo corre veloce sull'acqua.The speedboat runs fast on the water.
- Abbiamo noleggiato un motoscafo per il pomeriggio.We rented a speedboat for the afternoon.
- Quel motoscafo è molto lussuoso.That speedboat is very luxurious.
Example conversation
Chiara and Francesco are planning a trip on a lake.
- ChiaraFrancesco, vuoi andare in motoscafo?Francesco, do you want to go in a speedboat?
- FrancescoSì, mi piacerebbe molto.Yes, I would like that very much.
- ChiaraPossiamo affittare un motoscafo oggi.We can rent a speedboat today.
- FrancescoOttima idea, andiamo!Great idea, let's go!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry motoscafo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
