scarpe da tennis
The English phrase "tennis shoes" is scarpe da tennis in Italian.
scarpe da tennis refers specifically to athletic shoes designed for the sport of tennis. In informal contexts, the word tennis may be used as an abbreviation for the entire phrase.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of scarpe (shoes) and the prepositional phrase da tennis (for tennis).
Which one should you use?
While scarpe da tennis refers specifically to footwear for the sport of tennis, the more common general term for sneakers or athletic shoes used for various exercises is scarpe da ginnastica.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In informal contexts, the abbreviation tennis is used for tennis shoes.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form scarpa da tennis is used when referring to a single shoe rather than a pair.
Did you know?
- In Italian culture, wearing scarpe da tennis in very formal settings is often viewed more critically than in the US. While 'athleisure' is growing, sneakers are still strictly separated from scarpe eleganti in traditional social codes.
- The preposition da originates from a blend of Latin dē and ā/ab. Over centuries, it evolved from meaning 'from' to indicating the intended use of an object, like shoes 'for' tennis.
- In many parts of Italy, people use the word sneakers to describe fashionable athletic shoes, even though it is an English loanword.
Examples in context
- Tom comprò un paio di scarpe da tennis.Tom bought a pair of tennis shoes.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase scarpe da tennis in the context of buying a pair.Tatoeba #8108513 by Guybrush88, translation #5688087 by CK
- Mennad prese le scarpe da tennis di Baya.Mennad took Baya's tennis shoes.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase scarpe da tennis in the context of ownership.Tatoeba #13302460 by Guybrush88, translation #8047844 by OsoHombre
- Dan indossava delle scarpe da tennis bianche.Dan wore white tennis shoes.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase scarpe da tennis in the context of wearing specific colored shoes.Tatoeba #4221202 by Guybrush88, translation #4009273 by Amastan
- Devo comprare delle nuove scarpe da tennis.I need to buy new tennis shoes.
- Le scarpe da tennis che ho visto oggi erano davvero belle.The tennis shoes I saw today were really nice.
- Ho bisogno di un paio di nuove tennis.I need a pair of new tennis shoes.
- Mario ha comprato delle tennis molto costose.Mario bought very expensive tennis shoes.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Sofia are at a sports store.
- LorenzoDevo comprare delle scarpe da tennis nuove.I need to buy some new tennis shoes.
- SofiaVuoi quelle scarpe da tennis blu?Do you want those blue tennis shoes?
- LorenzoNo, preferisco le scarpe da tennis bianche.No, I prefer the white tennis shoes.
- SofiaVa bene, prendiamo queste.Alright, let's take these.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries da, tennis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
