How to Say "Stairs" in Italian

scale

The English word 'stairs' is translated into Italian as scale.

The word scale refers to a contiguous set of steps.

Meaning: contiguous set of steps (noun)

Which one should you use?

The word scalinata is used to describe a grand or monumental staircase.

The word scale is almost always used in the plural form when referring to a flight of stairs.

The famous opera house Teatro alla Scala in Milan takes its name from the street Via della Scala, which was named for the stairs that once led to a nearby palace.
The word scala is the root of the English word 'scale' in the sense of a proportion or a map. Both derive from the Latin word for a ladder.
In Italian, you can say fare le scale to mean 'climbing the stairs'. While fare literally means 'to do' or 'to make', it is the standard way to describe the act of ascending them.

Li vidi sulle scale.
I saw them on the stairs.
This sentence shows the use of scale when the object is 'them'.
Tatoeba #6015596 by Guybrush88, translation #3910581 by CH
La vidi sulle scale.
I saw her on the stairs.
This sentence shows the use of scale when the object is 'her'.
Tatoeba #6215342 by Guybrush88, translation #3910583 by CH
Lo vidi sulle scale.
I saw him on the stairs.
This sentence shows the use of scale when the object is 'him'.
Tatoeba #6215344 by Guybrush88, translation #3910582 by CH
Prego, utilizzi la scalinata laterale.
Please use the side stairs.
I bambini stanno giocando sulle scale.
The children are playing on the stairs.
Devo scendere i gradini con cautela.
I have to descend the steps carefully.
72 more sentences on Tatoeba

Sofia and Lorenzo are in an old apartment building.

Sofia

Lorenzo, preferisci l'ascensore o le scale?
Lorenzo, do you prefer the elevator or the stairs?
Lorenzo

Preferisco le scale, sono più veloce.
I prefer the stairs, I am faster.
Sofia

Allora andiamo su per le scale.
Then let's go up the stairs.
Lorenzo

Sì, andiamo subito.
Yes, let's go right now.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏