Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tavolo | /ˈta.vo.lo/ | masculine |
| tavola | /ˈta.vo.la/ | feminine |
Both forms refer to a table, but they are used in different contexts. Use the masculine tavolo when you are talking about the physical piece of furniture itself. Use the feminine tavola when you are referring to the dining table or the setting of the table for a meal. This feminine form is also used in idiomatic expressions related to serving food, such as mettere in tavola, which means 'to put/serve on the table'.
Which one should you use?
tavolo is the masculine form used to refer to the physical piece of furniture. tavola is the feminine form used in the context of dining or the surface set for a meal.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
tavolo is a masculine noun and tavola is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word tavolo is pronounced /ˈta.vo.lo/. It has three syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The English word 'tabular' and the Italian tavola share the same ancestor, the Latin word tabula, which originally meant a plank or a board.
- The word tavola is used in the common expression a tavola! to call everyone to the dining room, which literally translates to 'at the table!'
- In Italian, a multiplication table is called a tabellina. This is a diminutive form related to the same root as tavolo.
Examples in context
- È il mio tavolo.It is my table.This sentence demonstrates the use of tavolo.Tatoeba #13290246 by Guybrush88, translation #2626691 by ddnktr
- Il tavolo è verde.The table is green.Tatoeba #791282 by Pharamp, translation #819041 by CM
- È sotto al tavolo.It's under the table.Tatoeba #4907440 by Guybrush88, translation #39623 by CK
- Vorrei prenotare un tavolo per due persone, per favore.I would like to book a table for two, please.
- Mettiamo il libro sul tavolino.Let's put the book on the coffee table.
- apparecchiare la tavolaTo set the table
- 808 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Martina are arranging furniture in a room.
- FrancescoQuesto tavolo è troppo grande.This table is too big.
- MartinaDove lo mettiamo allora?Where do we put it then?
- FrancescoSpostiamo il tavolo vicino alla finestra.Let's move the table near the window.
- MartinaSì, così sta meglio.Yes, it looks better there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “table” translations and entries tavolo, tavola, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tavola, tavolo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
