fanale posteriore
The English word "taillight" is translated into Italian as fanale posteriore.
The term refers to the lights mounted on the rear of a vehicle.
Meaning: rear mounted lights on a vehicle (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of fanale (light or lamp) and posteriore (rear or back).
Which one should you use?
Fanale posteriore is used specifically for the taillight, whereas fanale anteriore is used for a headlight. You may also use the alternative phrase luci posteriori to refer to the rear lights.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, both the noun and the adjective must change to their plural forms, resulting in fanali posteriori.
Did you know?
- The word fanale comes from the word for a lighthouse, meaning that when you describe a car's taillight, you are technically using the word for a massive coastal beacon.
- If you are describing a broken taillight, you wouldn't just say it is 'broken', you might say il fanale è fuso if the bulb has burnt out, which literally translates to 'the light is melted'.
- Italian describes the 'brake lights' as luci di stop, borrowing the English word 'stop' instead of using an Italian word for braking.
Examples in context
- Ho notato un problema ai fanali posteriori della macchina.I noticed a problem with the car's taillights.
- Il fanale posteriore della macchina è rotto.The car's taillight is broken.
- Devi pulire il fanale posteriore della bici.You need to clean the bike's taillight.
- Ho notato un problema con il fanale posteriore.I noticed a problem with the taillight.
Example conversation
Matteo and Martina are inspecting a car in the driveway.
- MartinaMatteo, guarda il fanale posteriore della macchina.Matteo, look at the car's taillight.
- MatteoHai ragione, è completamente distrutto.You are right, it is completely destroyed.
- MartinaDobbiamo riparare il fanale posteriore subito.We must fix the taillight immediately.
- MatteoCerto, andiamo subito in officina.Sure, let's go to the repair shop right away.
