Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| chirurgia | /ki.rurˈd͡ʒi.a/ | feminine |
| operazione chirurgica | feminine | |
| intervento chirurgico | /in.terˈvɛn.to kiˈrur.d͡ʒi.ko/ (word by word) | masculine |
| operazione | /o.pe.ratˈt͡sjo.ne/ | feminine |
The term used depends on the context of your conversation. Use chirurgia to refer to the medical field or the discipline of surgery. To describe a specific medical procedure involving incisions, you would use intervento chirurgico, operazione chirurgica or operazione. Note that while operazione is frequently used in a medical context to mean surgery, it is also the general word for any kind of operation, such as a business operation.
Which one should you use?
chirurgia refers to the medical field or practice of surgery rather than a specific surgical procedure. intervento chirurgico is the most common way to refer to a specific surgical operation or procedure. operazione chirurgica specifically means a surgical operation, whereas operazione is a more general term for an operation or surgery.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase intervento chirurgico is masculine and requires masculine articles and adjectives. The phrase operazione chirurgica is feminine and requires feminine articles and adjectives.
How do you pronounce it?
/ki.rurˈdʒi.a/
When do people say it?
In case of a medical emergency in Italy, the emergency number is 112.
Did you know?
- The word chirurgia comes from the Ancient Greek words for 'hand' and 'work'. This literally defines surgery as 'hand-work'.
- In Italian, operazione can refer to a surgical procedure, a mathematical calculation, or a secret police mission. The meaning is determined entirely by context.
- In a hospital setting, the 'surgery' room is called the sala operatoria, meaning the 'operating room', rather than using the word chirurgia.
Examples in context
- L'operazione è andata bene.The surgery went well.This sentence is useful for noting that the operazione went well.Tatoeba #4828742 by Guybrush88, translation #3396548 by CK
- L'operazione è durata sei ore.The surgery lasted six hours.This sentence is useful for noting the duration of the operazione.Tatoeba #10745904 by Bethanielle, translation #6050838 by Hybrid
- Morì durante l'intervento chirurgico.He died during surgery.This sentence is useful for describing an event during an intervento chirurgico.Tatoeba #2721986 by Guybrush88, translation #2721979 by Hybrid
- Mi devo sottoporre a un intervento chirurgicoI need to undergo surgery
- Ho bisogno di un'operazioneI need an operation
- Devo sottopormi a un intervento chirurgico al cuore.I need to undergo heart surgery.
- Mi hanno detto che l'operazione non è molto complicata.They told me that the operation is not very complicated.
- Mi sento un po' preoccupato prima dell'operazione.I feel a bit worried before the operation.
- Ho parlato con il chirurgo sulle potenziali complicazioni dell'intervento.I spoke with the surgeon about potential complications of the surgery.
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina is talking to Lorenzo about her career goals.
- MartinaVorrei specializzarmi in chirurgia plastica.I would like to specialize in plastic surgery.
- LorenzoÈ un percorso di studi molto difficile.It is a very difficult course of study.
- MartinaSì, ma amo la precisione della chirurgia.Yes, but I love the precision of surgery.
- LorenzoAllora farai un ottimo medico, Martina.Then you will be a great doctor, Martina.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “surgery” translations and entries chirurgia, operazione, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (intervento, chirurgico) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chirurgia, chirurgico, operazione, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
