completi
The English phrase "suits" (referring to sets of matching clothes) is translated into Italian as completi.
This term is used to describe sets of matching clothes that consist of a jacket and either trousers or a skirt. When talking about wearing these items, you can use the verbs indossare or portare to mean "to wear".
Which one should you use?
While completo refers specifically to a set of matching clothes, it is distinct from abito, which can refer to a single dress or a general outfit.
Did you know?
- When Italians talk about 'wearing a suit' for a formal event, they may use the phrase mettersi in ghingheri, which means to dress up fancy or spruce oneself up.
- The term completo comes from the Latin word for 'filled' or 'finished', reflecting the idea that the outfit is only 'complete' once all matching pieces are worn.
- While a man might wear a completo, a woman wearing the same matching jacket and trousers would often be described as wearing a tailleur.
Examples in context
- Indossare un abito eleganteWearing a formal suit
- Ha indossato un completo grigioHe wore a gray suit
- Che bella tuta!What a nice tracksuit!
- Mi piace il tuo abito eleganteI like your elegant suit
- un abito neroA black suit
- un completo bluA blue suit
- Porta un abito eleganteWear a formal suit
- Mario ha comprato un abito grigio per il matrimonio.Mario bought a gray suit for the wedding.
- Domani indosserò un completo elegante per l'intervista di lavoro.Tomorrow, I will wear a formal suit for the job interview.
- Questi completi sono molto eleganti.These suits are very elegant.
- Devo comprare dei nuovi completi per il lavoro.I need to buy some new suits for work.
- I completi in lino sono perfetti per l'estate.Linen suits are perfect for summer.
Example conversation
Alessandro and Martina are looking at clothes in a boutique.
- AlessandroGuarda questi completi blu, Martina.Look at these blue suits, Martina.
- MartinaSono bellissimi, ma troppo costosi.They are beautiful, but too expensive.
- AlessandroAllora cerchiamo dei completi più economici.Then let's look for cheaper suits.
- MartinaSì, Alessandro, facciamolo.Yes, Alessandro, let's do that.
