abbronzatura
feminine
The English phrase "tan" (the darkening of the skin) is translated into Italian as abbronzatura.
abbronzatura is a feminine noun used to refer to a person's tan on their skin. When you want to express the idea of "getting a tan," Italian speakers use the expression prendere l'abbronzatura, which literally means to "take" a tan.
Meaning: darkening of the skin (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word abbronzatura is derived from the verb abbronzare, which means to brown or to tan.
Which one should you use?
While abbronzatura is the noun for the tan itself, you should use the related adjective abbronzato to describe a person who has a tan.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the adjective abbronzato to describe someone, it must agree in gender and number with the person: use abbronzata for a woman and abbronzati for a group. To describe the process of becoming tan, you can use the verb abbronzarsi.
Did you know?
- The root of abbronzatura is bronzo, which means 'bronze'. This links the aesthetic of a tan directly to the metallic hue of ancient statues.
- An English speaker might be confused by prendere l'abbronzatura, as prendere is also used for catching a cold (prendere un raffreddore), treating a tan like a contagious condition.
- In Italian culture, the quest for abbronzatura is often linked to la bella figura, the social importance of presenting oneself as healthy and successful through a vacation glow.
Examples in context
- Ha una bella abbronzatura.She has a beautiful tan.This sentence is useful for describing someone's appearance using abbronzatura.Tatoeba #2698186 by Guybrush88, translation #1808161 by Spamster
- Proverò a prendere una buona abbronzatura.I am going to try to get a good tan.This sentence shows how to use the phrase for attempting to get a tan with abbronzatura.Tatoeba #5345999 by Guybrush88, translation #60196 by CC
- Cercherò di prendere una buona abbronzatura.I'm going to try to get a good tan.This sentence is another way to express the intention to get a tan using abbronzatura.Tatoeba #5346002 by Guybrush88, translation #6873028 by CK
- La sua pelle è di un marrone chiaroHis/her skin is a light brown.
- Hai un'abbronzatura bellissima!You have a beautiful tan!
- La spiaggia italiana è famosa per l'abbronzatura dorata.The Italian beach is famous for its golden tan.
- Sono tornato dalle vacanze con una bellissima abbronzatura.I came back from vacation with a beautiful tan.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Matteo are talking about their summer holidays.
- GiuliaGuarda Matteo, la tua abbronzatura è bellissima!Look Matteo, your tan is beautiful!
- MatteoGrazie Giulia, sono stato molto al sole.Thanks Giulia, I spent a lot of time in the sun.
- GiuliaDevi mantenere questa abbronzatura per sempre.You must keep this tan forever.
- MatteoSpero di non scottarmi troppo domani.I hope I don't get too sunburned tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tan” translations and entries abbronzatura, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
