dentifricio
/den.tiˈfri.t͡ʃo/
The Italian word for toothpaste is dentifricio.
dentifricio refers to the paste used for cleaning the teeth. If you struggle to remember the specific word, you can describe it by saying la cosa che si usa per lavare i denti (the thing used to brush teeth).
Meaning: paste for cleaning the teeth (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
dentifricio is a masculine noun. Note that it does not have a feminine form. It remains masculine regardless of the gender of the person using it.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables and the stress is on the 3rd syllable: /den.tiˈfri.tʃo/.
Did you know?
- In Italy, the act of brushing teeth is expressed as lavarsi i denti, which literally translates to 'washing' the teeth rather than 'brushing' them.
- The word dentifricio contains the root fric-, which relates to 'friction' or 'rubbing', mirroring the English word 'friction'.
- The word dentifricio is a direct descendant of the Latin dentifricium, sharing the same roots as the English word 'dentifrice'.
Examples in context
- Il dentifricio è finito.The toothpaste has run out.This sentence shows how to say that the toothpaste has run out.Tatoeba #8929179 by Guybrush88, translation #8928869 by sundown
- Il dentifricio è alcalino.Toothpaste is alkaline.This sentence describes the alkalinity of toothpaste.Tatoeba #7431207 by Guybrush88, translation #5322603 by Hybrid
- Ho bisogno di dentifricio.I need toothpaste.This sentence is useful for expressing that you need toothpaste.Tatoeba #13502522 by Guybrush88, translation #6067686 by mailohilohi
- Vorrei comprare un tubetto di pasta dentifricia.I would like to buy a tube of toothpaste.
- Il dentista mi ha consigliato di usare un buon dentifricio.The dentist advised me to use a good toothpaste.
- Compro sempre la pasta dentale allo stesso negozio.I always buy toothpaste at the same store.
- 46 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Martina are preparing to leave for a trip.
- LorenzoHai messo il dentifricio in borsa?Did you put the toothpaste in the bag?
- MartinaSì, l'ho preso stamattina.Yes, I took it this morning.
- LorenzoPerfetto, allora siamo pronti.Perfect, then we are ready.
- MartinaSpero che il dentifricio basti per tutto il viaggio.I hope the toothpaste is enough for the whole trip.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “toothpaste” translations and entries dentifricio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dentifricio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
