Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| maglietta | /maʎˈʎet.ta/ | feminine |
| maglietta a maniche corte | feminine | |
| maglia a maniche corte | feminine | |
| maglia | /ˈmaʎ.ʎa/ | feminine |
The word maglietta is the most common and widely used term for a t-shirt in Italian. It specifically refers to a lightweight t-shirt. You may also see the English loanword t-shirt used frequently in Italy, as it is commonly understood. If you are looking for a tank top or a sleeveless shirt, the word is canotta.
Which one should you use?
While maglietta refers specifically to a lightweight t-shirt, maglia is a much broader term that can refer to any kind of shirt, sweater or jersey made of knitted or jersey-fabric. To be very specific about a t-shirt, you can use maglietta a maniche corte or maglia a maniche corte, both of which mean a short-sleeved shirt.
How does it change in a sentence?
All the forms for this word are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /maʎˈʎet.ta/.
Did you know?
- The root word maglia shares an ancestor with the English word 'mail' as in 'chain mail' armor. Both come from the Latin word for 'mesh'.
- The Italian word canotta for a tank top is derived from the word for a 'small rope' or 'cord', referring to the thin straps of the shirt.
- The word maglia is also used to describe the official jerseys worn by professional cycling teams in races like the Giro d'Italia.
Examples in context
- Per l'occasione, indossa una maglietta elegante.For the occasion, wear a stylish t-shirt.
- Faccio scorta di maglie per l'estate.I'm stocking up on t-shirts for the summer.
- Oggi ho deciso di indossare una magliettina simpatica.Today I decided to wear a cute little t-shirt.
- Questa maglietta è molto comoda.This t-shirt is very comfortable.
- Mi piace la tua maglietta bianca.I like your white t-shirt.
- Devo comprare una nuova maglietta.I need to buy a new t-shirt.
Example conversation
Matteo and Giulia are shopping for clothes together.
- MatteoTi piace questa maglietta?Do you like this t-shirt?
- GiuliaSì, è bellissima.Yes, it is beautiful.
- MatteoPrendo la maglietta per te?Shall I get the t-shirt for you?
- GiuliaNo, la prendo io.No, I will get it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “t-shirt” translations and entries maglietta, maglia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, corte, maglia, maglietta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
