teatro
/teˈa.tro/masculine
The English word theater is translated into Italian as teatro.
teatro is the standard and widely used term for a theater. If you wish to refer specifically to the physical space of a theater hall or auditorium, you can use Sala Teatrale. To refer to the stage itself, use Palcoscenico and if you are talking about an opera house, use Teatro d'opera.
Meaning: place or building (noun)
Which one should you use?
While teatro is the general term, Sala Teatrale emphasizes the physical hall and Teatrino is used to refer to smaller or local theaters to convey a sense of intimacy.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many regions, especially in central and northern Italy, it is common to refer to a municipal theater as Teatro comunale.
How does it change in a sentence?
teatro is a masculine noun. The plural form is teatri.
How do you pronounce it?
/teˈa.tro/. The word has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word teatro shares a root with the Greek verb theáomai, meaning 'to behold' or 'to view', which is also the ancestor of the English word 'theory'.
- In Italian, the word teatro is used to describe a chaotic or dramatic scene, such as a loud public argument, by saying fare teatro, which means 'to make a scene'.
- Many historic teatri in Italy are designed in the 'Italian style', characterized by a horseshoe-shaped auditorium with multiple tiers of private boxes rather than a fan shape.
Examples in context
- Il teatro è vuoto.The theater is empty.This sentence is useful for describing the state of a teatro.Tatoeba #833601 by Guybrush88, translation #680815 by Source_VOA
- Ti piace il teatro?Do you like the theater?This sentence is useful for asking about someone's preference for the teatro.Tatoeba #2864416 by Guybrush88, translation #64442 by orcrist
- Che teatro è quello?Which theater is that?This sentence is useful for identifying a specific teatro.Tatoeba #715217 by Guybrush88, translation #42668 by CK
- Vorrei andare a vedere uno spettacolo al teatro stasera.I would like to go see a show at the theater tonight.
- La sala teatrale è bellissima, con un'acustica eccezionale.The theater hall is beautiful, with exceptional acoustics.
- Questo teatrino di quartiere mette in scena spettacoli molto interessanti.This small neighborhood theater puts on very interesting shows.
- Ha una grande passione per il palcoscenico e sogna di diventare un attore famoso.He has a great passion for the stage and dreams of becoming a famous actor.
- Lo spettacolo sarà al teatro comunale di Firenze.The show will be at the municipal theater in Florence.
- Milano è famosa per il suo teatro d'opera, la Scala.Milan is famous for its opera house, La Scala.
- 79 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Lorenzo are walking in the city center.
- GiuliaLorenzo, guarda quel teatro!Lorenzo, look at that theater!
- LorenzoÈ bellissimo, Giulia.It is beautiful, Giulia.
- GiuliaVuoi entrare?Do you want to go in?
- LorenzoSì, volentieri.Yes, gladly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “theater” translations and entries teatro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries teatro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
