piazza
/ˈpjat.t͡sa/
The Italian word for square is piazza.
In Italian, piazza is used for urban public spaces or town squares, not for the mathematical concept of a square.
Meaning: shaped like a square (adj)
Which one should you use?
English speakers often mistakenly use 'piazza' to mean a geometric square, but piazza refers to a public square or plaza, while quadrato refers to the geometric shape.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of piazza is piazze.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpjat.tsa/. The word has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
When do people say it?
Piazza San Marco is a famous square in Venice. Essere in piazza means to be at the square.
Did you know?
- The word piazza is a close relative of the English word 'place', as both descend from the same Ancient Greek root plateîa.
- In many Italian towns, the piazza serves as the 'salotto della città' or 'city living room', acting as the primary social hub for all ages.
- Ancient Roman forums were the precursors to the modern piazza, transitioning the concept of a political assembly ground into a social community space.
Examples in context
- Piazza San Pietro è affollata.Saint Peter's Square is crowded.This sentence uses piazza to describe Saint Peter's Square.Tatoeba #2415163 by Guybrush88, translation #2304026 by Hybrid
- Guarda quel palo nella piazza.Look at that pole in the square.This sentence uses piazza to locate a pole within a square.Tatoeba #11293885 by Guybrush88, translation #240852 by CM
- Stanno costruendo una nuova piazza.They're building a new square.This sentence uses piazza to describe the construction of a new square.Tatoeba #756721 by Guybrush88, translation #756720 by CM
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Sofia are looking at a city map together.
- LorenzoDobbiamo incontrare Sofia in piazza.We need to meet Sofia in the square.
- SofiaQuale piazza dobbiamo cercare?Which square should we look for?
- LorenzoLa piazza principale del centro.The main square of the center.
- SofiaVa bene, l'ho trovata sulla mappa.All right, I found it on the map.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry piazza, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries piazza, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
