sterlina
/sterˈli.na/feminine
The English phrase "sterling" is translated into Italian as sterlina, referring to the currency of the United Kingdom.
sterlina is a noun used to refer to the pound sterling or genuine British currency, distinguishing it from foreign currencies. To be specific and clarify that you are referring to the British pound rather than other currencies that use the name pound (such as the Egyptian pound), Italians often use the phrase sterlina britannica.
Meaning: currency of the United Kingdom, based on the pound sterling, genuine English or British currency, as contrasted with foreign currency (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is a feminine noun. The plural form of sterlina is sterline, which is used when referring to pounds sterling.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /sterˈli.na/.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the word sterlina is used exclusively for the British currency, whereas the word libbra is used for other pounds or the unit of weight.
- The word sterlina is one of the few currency names in Italian that is a direct loan from English rather than a translation of the concept of 'weight'.
- Unlike the English word 'sterling', which can be used as an adjective to mean 'excellent' or 'of high quality', the Italian sterlina is almost exclusively used to refer to the currency itself.
Examples in context
- Il tasso di cambio tra l'euro e la sterlina è favorevole oggi.The exchange rate between the euro and the pound sterling is favorable today.
- Il valore della sterlina è aumentato negli ultimi mesi.The value of the pound sterling has increased in recent months.
- Devo cambiare la sterlina in euro.I need to exchange sterling into euros.
- Il tasso della sterlina è molto alto oggi.The sterling exchange rate is very high today.
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Sofia are talking about their holiday budget in a cafe.
- SofiaQuante sterline hai portato con te, Lorenzo?How many pounds sterling did you bring with you, Lorenzo?
- LorenzoNe ho portate circa duecento.I brought about two hundred.
- SofiaSpero che il cambio sia favorevole.I hope the exchange rate is favorable.
- LorenzoSì, la sterlina è forte in questo periodo.Yes, sterling is strong during this period.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sterling” translations and entries sterlina, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
