gocciolare
/ɡot.t͡ʃoˈla.re/
The English word 'trickle' translates to the Italian verb gocciolare.
gocciolare is used specifically to describe the act of dripping or trickling down. While other verbs like scorrere describe the general act of flowing or running smoothly, and colare can mean to flow or seep, gocciolare focuses on the downward dripping motion.
Meaning: a very thin flow, the act of trickling (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The verb is derived from the noun goccia, which means 'drop'.
Which one should you use?
gocciolare refers specifically to dripping or trickling down, whereas scorrere is a broader term for flowing or running smoothly and colare is used to describe a liquid that flows or seeps in a gentle manner.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular present indicative form is gocciola (he/she/it trickles). To describe a continuous or habitual trickling in the past, use the imperfect tense form gocciolava (it was trickling). The noun form for the act of trickling or a continuous drip is gocciolamento.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of gocciolare is /ɡot.tʃoˈla.re/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- Italian uses the noun goccia in the idiom la goccia che fa traboccare il vaso, which is the equivalent of 'the straw that broke the camel's back'.
- While gocciolare means to trickle, the verb sgocciolare is used when something is dripping wet, like a person coming inside from the rain.
- The word gocciolare is often used in Italian to describe the sweating of a cold drink on a hot day, whereas English speakers might say the glass is 'sweating'.
Examples in context
- L'acqua scorreva dolcemente dal rubinetto.The water trickled gently from the faucet.
- Le gocce d'acqua gocciolavano lentamente dal tetto.The water drops trickled slowly from the roof.
- Il miele cola dolcemente dalla fessura.The honey trickles gently from the crack.
- L'acqua gocciola dal rubinetto.Water is trickling from the tap.
Example conversation
Martina and Matteo are in the kitchen.
- MartinaMatteo, guarda! Il rubinetto ha iniziato a gocciolare.Matteo, look! The faucet started to trickle.
- MatteoHai ragione, è davvero fastidioso.You're right, it's really annoying.
- MartinaPuoi provare a ripararlo adesso?Can you try to fix it now?
- MatteoSì, cerco gli attrezzi subito.Yes, I'll look for the tools right away.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gocciolare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
