assorbente interno
masculine
The English word 'tampon' (referring to the hygiene product) is translated into Italian as assorbente interno. Wiktionary also lists tampone and stuello.
Meaning: a plug of cotton or other absorbent material (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| assorbente interno | masculine | |
| tampone | /tamˈpo.ne/ | masculine |
| stuello | masculine |
In Italian, the term for a menstrual tampon is assorbente interno. Related to this, the verb tamponare can mean to dab or mop something up and is frequently used figuratively to mean 'to stem the tide' or 'to patch up' a problem or a financial deficit.
Which one should you use?
The word tampone is used for a medical or technical swab, such as those used for a COVID test. In contrast, assorbente interno specifically refers to the menstrual hygiene product.
Related words
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use tampone to mean a menstrual tampon. In Italian, tampone primarily refers to a medical swab, so use assorbente interno instead.
Did you know?
- In Italian traffic reports, the word tamponamento describes a rear-end collision. It comes from the verb tamponare and evokes the idea of one car being 'plugged' into the back of another.
- The word tampone is used in Italian as a technical term in music to describe the pads on the keys of a woodwind instrument, such as a saxophone or clarinet.
- If an Italian politician says they need to tamponare a situation, they are not talking about hygiene, but rather about desperately trying to fix a mistake or a leak.
Examples in context
- Hai un assorbente interno che potrei usare?Do you have an internal absorbent that I could use?
- Mi servirebbe un assorbente interno. Potrebbe aiutarmi?I need an internal absorbent. Could you help me?
- Devo comprare un assorbente interno.I need to buy a tampon.
- Questo assorbente interno è molto morbido.This tampon is very soft.
- Non trovo il mio assorbente interno.I can't find my tampon.
Example conversation
Chiara is at the pharmacy and asks Alessandro for help.
- AlessandroTi serve aiuto, Chiara?Do you need help, Chiara?
- ChiaraSì, cerco un assorbente interno.Yes, I am looking for a tampon.
- AlessandroGuarda in quel corridoio.Look in that aisle.
- ChiaraGrazie, Alessandro, l'ho trovato.Thanks, Alessandro, I found it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tampon” translations and entries assorbente interno, tampone, stuello, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
