Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| strada | /ˈstra.da/ | feminine |
| via | /ˈvi.a/ | feminine |
Both terms refer to a paved part of a road in a village or town. The phrase in strada is often used idiomatically to mean being 'out in the street' or 'outdoors' in a general sense.
Which one should you use?
strada is a general term used to refer to the physical concept of a road or the space of the street itself. In contrast, via is used when referring to a specific street name or an address.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Southern Italy, especially in Campania and Sicily, the word vico refers to small alleys or hidden streets.
How does it change in a sentence?
strada is a feminine noun. Its plural form is strade. The word via is also a feminine noun, and its plural form is vie.
How do you pronounce it?
The word strada is pronounced /ˈstra.da/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word strada shares a common ancestor with the English word 'stair', as both can trace back to the idea of something being laid out or leveled.
- In many Italian cities, you will see signs for corso, which denotes a wide, prestigious street that was originally part of a Roman road or a major thoroughfare.
- In Italy, a viale is not just a wide street, but specifically one that typically features rows of trees, similar to a French 'avenue'.
Examples in context
- Che via è questa?What street is this?This sentence uses via to ask about the identity of a street.Tatoeba #2968759 by Guybrush88, translation #687410 by lukaszpp
- La strada era buia.The street was dark.This sentence uses strada to describe the lighting of a street.Tatoeba #7041890 by Guybrush88, translation #5318465 by Hybrid
- Tom corse in strada.Tom ran out into the street.This sentence uses strada to describe someone running into the street.Tatoeba #3483240 by Guybrush88, translation #3483226 by CK
- Il negozio si trova in una via tranquilla, vicino al parco.The shop is located on a quiet street, near the park.
- È situato nella strada principale del centro storico.It's located on the main street of the historical center.
- L'incidente ha causato la chiusura di due corsie sulla tangenziale.The accident caused the closure of two lanes on the ring road.
- I ragazzi giocano nella stradina vicino alla mia casa.The kids play in the small street near my house.
- C'è un caffè molto carino in quella stradina nascosta.There's a lovely café at that hidden alley.
- La mia amica abita in un piccolo appartamento in un vicolo del centro storico.My friend lives in a small apartment on a lane in the historical center.
- Prendi la seconda traversa dopo il semaforo.Take the second side street after the traffic lights.
- Il ristorante si trova in un vico caratteristico del centro storico.The restaurant is located on a typical alley in the historical center.
- 407 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Giulia are walking in a small town.
- GiuliaLorenzo, dobbiamo girare in questa strada.Lorenzo, we have to turn into this street.
- LorenzoSì, la strada sembra quella giusta.Yes, the street looks like the right one.
- GiuliaÈ una strada molto tranquilla.It is a very quiet street.
- LorenzoSì, Giulia, è bellissima.Yes, Giulia, it is beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “street” translations and entries strada, via, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries strada, via, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
