ceppo
/ˈt͡ʃep.po/masculine
The English word stem is translated into Italian as ceppo. Wiktionary also lists fusto and tronco.
Meaning: botany: above-ground stalk of a vascular plant (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ceppo | /ˈt͡ʃep.po/ | masculine |
| fusto | /ˈfus.to/ | |
| tronco | /ˈtron.ko/ | |
| gambo | /ˈɡam.bo/ | masculine |
In botany, several Italian words are used to describe the above-ground stalk of a vascular plant, depending on the specific part of the plant being described.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the thickness and type of plant. Use gambo for the thin, flexible stem of a flower, herb or fruit such as a strawberry. Use fusto for the main structural stem of a plant, which is often used in technical or botanical contexts. Use tronco for the thick, woody stem or trunk of a tree. Use ceppo to refer to a tree stump or a thick, woody base left in the ground.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The words ceppo and gambo are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word ceppo is pronounced /ˈtʃep.po/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word ceppo historically referred to a type of wooden restraint or 'stocks' used for public punishment.
- The word gambo is derived from gamba, the Italian word for 'leg'.
- In Italian architecture, the word fusto is used to describe the vertical shaft of a classical column, separate from the base and capital.
Examples in context
- Rimuovi i semi e il gambo.Remove the pips and stem.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of gambo.Tatoeba #10345091 by Guybrush88, translation #8819652 by sundown
- La pianta ha un fusto sotterraneo.The plant has an underground stem.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of fusto.Tatoeba #10345094 by Guybrush88, translation #46169 by Auride
- Il gambo della pianta è molto resistente.The stem of the plant is very sturdy.
- Lo stelo del fiore è molto sottile.The stem of the flower is very thin.
- Il fusto dell'albero è molto robusto.The stem of the tree is very strong.
- La pianta di pomodoro ha uno stelo sottile.The tomato plant has a slender stem.
- Le foglie sono attaccate al gambo.The leaves are attached to the stem.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Francesco are gardening together.
- GiuliaGuarda questo ceppo, è troppo lungo.Look at this stem, it is too long.
- FrancescoHai ragione, dovremmo tagliarlo un po'.You are right, we should cut it a bit.
- GiuliaUso le forbici per il ceppo?Should I use the scissors for the stem?
- FrancescoSì, Francesco ti aiuta a tenerlo fermo.Yes, Francesco will help you hold it still.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stem” translations and entries ceppo, fusto, tronco, gambo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ceppo, fusto, gambo, tronco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
