asciugamano
/aʃˌʃu.ɡaˈma.no/
The Italian word for towel is asciugamano.
asciugamano refers to a cloth used for wiping.
Meaning: cloth used for wiping (noun)
Which one should you use?
While asciugamano is the general term for a towel, asciugapiatti is specifically used for a dish towel/tea towel. A related term for a mat used to dry feet is asciugapié.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of asciugamano is asciugamani.
How do you pronounce it?
The word consists of 5 syllables with the stress on the 4th syllable. The IPA pronunciation is /aʃˌʃu.ɡaˈma.no/.
Did you know?
- The word asciugamano is a literal compound of the verb 'asciugare' meaning 'to dry' and the noun 'mano' meaning 'hand'.
- While asciugamano is the general term, Italians use the specific word telo for a large beach towel or a bath sheet.
- In some regional dialects, especially in the south, people may use the word canovaccio instead of asciugapiatti for a rough kitchen towel.
Examples in context
- Mi serve un asciugamano.I need a towel.This sentence shows how to express needing a towel using the form asciugamano.Tatoeba #2556549 by Guybrush88, translation #2387469 by CK
- Le serve un asciugamano.She needs a towel.This sentence demonstrates how to say she needs a towel using the form asciugamano.Tatoeba #3132577 by Guybrush88, translation #2861581 by Amastan
- Mi passi un asciugamano.Hand me a towel.This sentence is useful for asking someone to hand you a towel using the form asciugamano.Tatoeba #4265625 by Guybrush88, translation #2984189 by CK
- Vorrei un asciugamano, per favore.I would like a towel, please.
- Hai visto i miei asciugamani?Have you seen my towels?
- Mia nonna usa sempre una salvietta dopo aver mangiato.My grandmother always uses a washcloth after eating.
- 118 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Sofia are in the bathroom getting ready.
- MatteoSofia, hai preso l'ultimo asciugamano?Sofia, did you take the last towel?
- SofiaSì, scusa, ne prendo subito un altro.Yes, sorry, I'll get another one right away.
- MatteoGrazie, lo aspetto qui fuori.Thanks, I'll wait for it here.
- SofiaEcco il tuo asciugamano, Matteo.Here is your towel, Matteo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “towel” translations and entries asciugamano, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries asciugamano, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
