Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| spremere | /ˈsprɛ.me.re/ |
| stringere | /ˈstrin.d͡ʒe.re/ |
| strizzare | /stritˈt͡sa.re/ |
Italian uses different verbs to squeeze depending on whether you are extracting a liquid, removing excess moisture or applying pressure to constrict something. spremere is used to extract liquid, such as squeezing juice from a lemon and can also be used metaphorically to describe squeezing someone for money or resources. strizzare is used for wringing or squeezing a porous object to remove excess liquid, like a wet cloth. stringere is used when the action involves tightening or applying pressure that constricts, such as squeezing a hand or tightening a knot.
Which one should you use?
Choose your verb based on the intended result: use spremere to extract a liquid, strizzare to wring out excess liquid from an object and stringere to tighten or apply constricting pressure.
How does it change in a sentence?
spremere and stringere are irregular -ere verbs. strizzare is a regular -are verb.
How do you pronounce it?
The word spremere is pronounced /ˈsprɛ.me.re/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word spremere is a direct descendant of the Latin exprimere, which is the same root used in the English word 'express'.
- The verb strizzare is used to describe the specific action of squinting your eyes, as if you are squeezing them to see better.
- In Italian, the phrase stringere un patto uses the word for squeeze to mean 'making a deal' or 'closing an agreement'.
Examples in context
- Per fare una buona limonata, bisogna spremere bene i limoniTo make a good lemonade, you need to squeeze the lemons well
- Devi spremere il limone per la limonata.You have to squeeze the lemon for the lemonade.
- Aiutami a spremere le arance per la colazione.Help me squeeze the oranges for breakfast.
Example conversation
Chiara and Alessandro are preparing juice in the kitchen.
- ChiaraAlessandro, puoi spremere questo limone?Alessandro, can you squeeze this lemon?
- AlessandroCertamente, Chiara. È molto succoso.Certainly, Chiara. It is very juicy.
- ChiaraOttimo, mi serve per il tè.Great, I need it for the tea.
- AlessandroEcco fatto, l'ho spremuto tutto.There you go, I squeezed it all.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “squeeze” translations and entries spremere, stringere, strizzare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries spremere, stringere, strizzare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
