Titanic
/tiˈta.nik/
In Italian, the word for titanic can refer to the adjective meaning great in size or strength or the proper name of the famous ship.
The term is used in two ways. As a proper noun, Titanic refers to the ocean liner that sank on its maiden voyage on 15 April 1912. As an adjective, it describes something possessing great size, force, power or strength.
Meaning: having great size, or great force, power, or strength (adj)
Which one should you use?
Use the capitalized form Titanic when you are specifically referring to the name of the ship. When you are using the word as an adjective to describe something of great strength or size, you must use the lowercase forms such as titanico.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an adjective meaning 'of great size or strength', the word is titanico and follows standard Italian gender and number agreement. The masculine singular is titanico, the feminine singular is titanica, the masculine plural is titanici and the feminine plural is titaniche.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /tiˈta.nik/.
Did you know?
- The unusual 'ch' sound at the end of Titanic in Italy arose because people falsely associated it with Serbo-Croatian surnames ending in -ić.
- In Italian, titanico is often used to describe an effort, such as uno sforzo titanico, to emphasize an almost impossible task rather than just physical size.
- In certain historical texts, the Italian adjective titanico was used to describe the 'titanic' strength of classical heroes, long before the ship was ever built.
Examples in context
- Ha visto il film "Titanic"?Have you seen the movie "Titanic"?This sentence is useful for asking about the movie Titanic.Tatoeba #13353778 by Guybrush88, translation #7871412 by MisterBrown
- Il Titanic affondò nel 1912.The Titanic sank in 1912.This sentence is useful for stating that the ship Titanic sank in 1912.Tatoeba #2256725 by Guybrush88, translation #2256581 by Amastan
- Il panico regna sul Titanic.Panic rules on the Titanic.This sentence is useful for describing panic on the ship Titanic.Tatoeba #2480625 by Guybrush88, translation #1362681 by cntrational
- Nella storia, "Il Titanic" è considerato uno dei naufragi più noti al mondo.In history, "The Titanic" is considered one of the most famous shipwrecks in the world.
- Ho appena visto un documentario su "Il Titanic", è stato molto interessante!I just watched a documentary about "The Titanic", it was very interesting!
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Giulia are discussing a massive construction project in the city.
- MatteoGuarda che sforzo Titanic per finire questo ponte!Look what a titanic effort to finish this bridge!
- GiuliaSì, è un lavoro immenso per tutti.Yes, it is a huge job for everyone.
- MatteoImmagino che serva una volontà Titanic per riuscirci.I imagine it takes a titanic will to succeed.
- GiuliaHai ragione, Matteo, è davvero impressionante.You are right, Matteo, it is truly impressive.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Titanic, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Titanic, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
