negozio dell'usato
The English phrase "thrift store" is negozio dell'usato in Italian.
negozio dell'usato refers to a retail establishment that sells used clothing and other household items. In Italy, you may also encounter the English loanword second hand used to describe items or shops that sell used goods.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down literally as negozio (shop), di (of), lo (the) and usato (used).
Which one should you use?
While negozio dell'usato refers to a permanent shop, mercatino dell'usato refers to a temporary flea market or a second-hand market held periodically.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural form "thrift stores", change negozio to negozi to get negozi dell'usato. The dell'usato part remains unchanged.
Did you know?
- The word negozio stems from the Latin negōtium, which literally translates to 'not-business' or 'lack of leisure'. It describes a state of being busy or occupied with affairs.
- In Italy, many thrift stores are run by Caritas or other religious charities, making them common sites for social volunteering.
- In Italy, high-end second-hand luxury shops often avoid the word usato and instead use vintage to signal that the items are collectible and valuable rather than just used.
Examples in context
- Vorrei visitare un mercatino dell'usato per trovare un capo d'abbigliamento unico.I would like to visit a thrift store to find a unique piece of clothing.
- Il mio amico ha appena trovato un grande affare in uno dei negozi dell'usato del quartiere.My friend just found a great deal at one of the thrift stores in the neighborhood.
- C'è un negozio dell'usato qui vicino?Is there a thrift store nearby?
- Ho comprato questa giacca in un negozio dell'usato.I bought this jacket in a thrift store.
- Cerco un buon negozio dell'usato per i libri.I am looking for a good thrift store for books.
Example conversation
Giulia and Francesco are talking about shopping for clothes.
- GiuliaVuoi andare in un negozio dell'usato oggi?Do you want to go to a thrift store today?
- FrancescoSì, mi piacerebbe molto, Giulia.Yes, I would really like to, Giulia.
- GiuliaConosci un posto con dei vestiti belli?Do you know a place with nice clothes?
- FrancescoSì, ne conosco uno in centro.Yes, I know one downtown.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries negozio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
