Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| forte | /ˈfɔr.te/ |
| aitante |
Forte is used to describe someone or something capable of producing great physical force. Similar to English, it is also used more broadly to describe a strong smell, a strong sound or a strong personality.
Which one should you use?
While forte is the general term for being physically strong, other words may be more precise. In formal contexts, robusto can be used to describe sturdiness or robustness and energico can be used to describe strength that comes from vigor or energy. Informally, if you want to describe someone with an incredibly strong character, you might use the phrase di ferro.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective forte is invariable in gender, so it stays the same whether the subject is masculine or feminine. To describe multiple people or things, use the plural form forti, which works for both masculine and feminine plural subjects.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfɔr.te/ (two syllables, stress on the first)
Did you know?
- In Italian slang, forte can be used to describe something as 'cool' or 'great'. If a movie is forte, it is not physically powerful but rather impressive or exciting.
- In Italian music notation, forte is a direction to play loudly. This usage entered English as a loanword, but in Italian it simply applies the meaning of 'strong' to the volume of sound.
- The word forte shares its Latin roots with the English word 'fortress', as both imply something or someone that is strong and defensible.
Examples in context
- È forte e sexy.He's strong and sexy.The first sentence shows how to use forte to describe a man.Tatoeba #2579695 by Guybrush88, translation #2256826 by Hybrid
- È alta e forte.She's tall and strong.The second sentence shows how to use forte to describe a woman.Tatoeba #7529333 by Valdast, translation #7529209 by deniko
- Tom non è forte.Tom isn't strong.The third sentence shows the negation of forte.Tatoeba #4247452 by Guybrush88, translation #3360555 by CK
- Non c'è niente di più forte della determinazione.There's nothing stronger than determination.
- Questa sedia è davvero robusta!This chair is really sturdy!
- Mia nonna è una donna tosta.My grandmother is a strong woman.
- Quella ragazza ha una volontà di ferro.That girl has an iron will.
- 772 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Alessandro are at the gym.
- ChiaraAlessandro, puoi sollevare questo peso?Alessandro, can you lift this weight?
- AlessandroSì, sono molto forte.Yes, I am very strong.
- ChiaraWow, non sapevo che fossi così forte!Wow, I didn't know you were so strong!
- AlessandroMi alleno ogni giorno.I work out every day.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “strong” translations and entries forte, aitante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries forte, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
