francobollo
/fran.koˈbol.lo/
The Italian word for stamp is francobollo.
francobollo refers to a postage stamp, which is a small piece of paper with a design on one side and an adhesive surface on the other.
Meaning: any small piece of paper bearing a design on one side and adhesive on the other (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of franco, meaning frank or free and bollo, meaning seal or stamp.
Which one should you use?
While francobollo refers specifically to an adhesive postage stamp, you should use timbrare when you mean the action of using a rubber stamp or an ink stamp to give an official marking.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of francobollo is francobolli.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable: /fran.koˈbol.lo/.
Did you know?
- The root bollo comes from the same origin as the English word 'bull', as in a 'papal bull', referring to a sealed official document.
- In Italian, the phrase mettere il bollo can be used figuratively to mean giving a final approval or 'stamping' a decision.
- The first part of francobollo, franco, implies that the postage was 'free' or pre-paid, meaning the sender had already cleared the duty.
Examples in context
- È venuto via il francobollo.The stamp came off.This sentence shows how to describe a stamp coming off something.Tatoeba #3158986 by Guybrush88, translation #2268547 by _undertoad
- Ho un francobollo molto vecchio.I have a very old stamp.This sentence is useful for describing an old francobollo.Tatoeba #1536187 by Guybrush88, translation #261415 by CK
- Ha messo un francobollo sulla busta?Did you put a stamp on the envelope?This sentence shows how to ask if a stamp was placed on an envelope.Tatoeba #4657324 by Guybrush88, translation #44179 by CK
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Giulia are preparing a letter to mail.
- FrancescoGiulia, dove hai messo il francobollo?Giulia, where did you put the stamp?
- GiuliaÈ sul tavolo, accanto alla busta.It is on the table, next to the envelope.
- FrancescoNon lo vedo, puoi passarmelo?I don't see it, can you pass it to me?
- GiuliaEcco qui il tuo francobollo, Francesco.Here is your stamp, Francesco.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry francobollo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries francobollo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
