supernova
/su.perˈnɔ.va/feminine
The Italian word for supernova is supernova.
The term is used to refer to an exploding star.
Meaning: exploding star (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
supernova is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word consists of 4 syllables. The stress is on the third syllable. It is pronounced /su.perˈnɔ.va/.
Did you know?
- The term supernova is used in Italian both for the astronomical event and as a metaphor for a sudden, brilliant success that vanishes quickly.
- In Italian, the word nova is the feminine form of the adjective nuovo, meaning 'new'. This reflects the historical mistake astronomers made when they saw a supernova and thought they were seeing a 'new' star appearing in the sky.
- Because supernova is a feminine noun, a star described as a supernova is linguistically treated as female, even if the star itself is a masculine noun astro in other contexts.
Examples in context
- La supernova che hanno osservato i ricercatori è sorprendentemente luminosa.The supernova observed by the researchers is remarkably bright.
- Una supernova può illuminare un'intera galassia.A supernova can illuminate an entire galaxy.
- Gli astronomi hanno osservato una nuova supernova.The astronomers observed a new supernova.
- La luce della supernova è incredibilmente intensa.The light of the supernova is incredibly intense.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking through a telescope in a garden.
- FrancescoGuarda quella luce, Sofia, sembra una supernova.Look at that light, Sofia, it looks like a supernova.
- SofiaÈ davvero bellissima, Francesco.It is truly beautiful, Francesco.
- FrancescoSpero che la mia macchina fotografica la catturi.I hope my camera captures it.
- SofiaSarebbe una foto fantastica.It would be a fantastic photo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “supernova” translations and entries supernova, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
