lapide
/ˈla.pi.de/feminine
The English word tombstone is translated into Italian as lapide or pietra tombale.
Meaning: stone on grave (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| lapide | /ˈla.pi.de/ | feminine |
| pietra tombale | feminine |
The term pietra tombale is the standard, modern way to refer to a tombstone in Italian.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase pietra tombale is a compound where pietra means stone and tombale means relating to a tomb.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of pietra tombale is pietre tombali.
How do you pronounce it?
The word lapide has three syllables and the stress is on the first syllable: /ˈla.pi.de/.
Did you know?
- In Italy, it is common to see lapidi that include a small photograph of the deceased attached to the stone.
- The word pietra is derived from the Ancient Greek word pétra, which is the same root used for the name 'Peter'.
- While pietra tombale is the object itself, an Italian person might use the adjective tombale to describe things like 'tombale silence' to mean a heavy, death-like stillness.
Examples in context
- La lapide di mia nonna è molto sempliceMy grandmother's tombstone is very simple
- Ho scelto un'ardesia tombale di alta qualitàI chose a high-quality tombstone slate
- Il monumento funerario di famiglia è molto anticoThe family's funerary monument is very old
- La pietra tombale di suo padre ha un bel designHis father's tombstone has a nice design
- Ho pulito la lastra della tomba di mia madreI cleaned my mother's tombstone slab
- La lapide è molto antica.The tombstone is very ancient.
- Hanno inciso il nome sulla lapide.They engraved the name on the tombstone.
- Il sole colpisce la lapide bianca.The sun hits the white tombstone.
Example conversation
Giulia and Lorenzo are walking through an old cemetery.
- GiuliaGuarda quella lapide in marmo, Lorenzo.Look at that marble tombstone, Lorenzo.
- LorenzoSì, è davvero elegante.Yes, it is truly elegant.
- GiuliaSembra quasi intatta.It looks almost intact.
- LorenzoHai ragione, Giulia.You are right, Giulia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tombstone” translations and entries lapide, pietra tombale, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
