macchia
/ˈmak.kja/feminine
The English word 'stain' translates to Italian as macchia. Wiktionary also lists chiazza and patacca.
Meaning: discoloured spot or area (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| macchia | /ˈmak.kja/ | feminine |
| chiazza | /ˈkjat.t͡sa/ | |
| patacca | /paˈtak.ka/ | feminine, figuratively |
macchia refers to a discoloured spot or area. It can be used to describe physical stains on objects or metaphorically to describe a stain on someone's reputation. If you wish to express the action of tainting or tarnishing a person's character, you can use the verbs macchiare or intaccare. Additionally, mordenzare means to coat a surface with a stain.
Which one should you use?
While macchia is used for a small or distinct stain, chiazza refers to a larger, more spread-out blot or a puddle of liquid.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the feminine noun macchia is macchie. The plural form of the feminine noun chiazza is chiazze.
How do you pronounce it?
macchia is pronounced /ˈmak.kja/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- In Italian, macchia does not just mean a stain, but also describes a type of dense, scrubby Mediterranean shrubland known as the 'macchia mediterranea'.
- The term macchia was central to the 19th-century art movement called 'Macchiaioli', who painted using distinct spots of color to capture light.
- In English, 'macula' is a medical term for a spot on the eye, and it shares the same Latin root, 'macula', as the Italian macchia.
Examples in context
- Il tè macchia i denti?Does tea stain teeth?This sentence is useful for asking if tea causes a macchia on teeth.Tatoeba #14023794 by Guybrush88, translation #13843947 by mervert1
- Questa macchia non andrà via.This stain won't come out.This sentence is useful for stating that a macchia will not come out.Tatoeba #3629129 by Guybrush88, translation #58106 by CK
- Strofina la macchia con dell'aceto.Rub the stain with vinegar.This sentence is useful for suggesting rubbing a macchia with vinegar.Tatoeba #3435774 by Guybrush88, translation #508698 by rul
- Nella mia giacca c'è una macchia di vino.There's a stain of wine on my jacket.
- Hai notato la macchia sul tappeto?Did you notice the stain on the carpet?
- Questo vestito ha una macchiolina di salsa.This dress has a little sauce stain.
- Scusa, ho fatto una macchia.Sorry, I made a stain
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Giulia are in the kitchen.
- FrancescoGiulia, guarda questa macchia sulla camicia!Giulia, look at this stain on the shirt!
- GiuliaÈ succeso a causa del caffè?Did it happen because of the coffee?
- FrancescoSì, è una macchia di caffè molto scura.Yes, it is a very dark coffee stain.
- GiuliaPortala qui, provo a pulirla io.Bring it here, I'll try to clean it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stain” translations and entries macchia, chiazza, patacca, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chiazza, macchia, patacca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
