panciotto
/panˈt͡ʃɔt.to/masculine
The English phrase 'vest' is translated into Italian as panciotto, gilè or corpetto.
Meaning: garment worn over a shirt (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| panciotto | /panˈt͡ʃɔt.to/ | masculine |
| gilè | /d͡ʒiˈlɛ/ | masculine |
| corpetto | /korˈpet.to/ | masculine |
All these terms refer to a garment worn over a shirt.
What does it mean word for word?
The word panciotto is a diminutive of pancia (belly), literally meaning 'little belly' to imply a garment for the belly area.
Which one should you use?
panciotto is used specifically for a formal waistcoat worn as part of a three-piece suit. corpetto refers to a tight-fitting bodice, often used in the context of historical or traditional women's clothing.
How do you pronounce it?
panciotto is pronounced /panˈtʃɔt.to/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The Italian word gilè is actually a loanword from French 'gilet', but the French borrowed it from an older Italian word giulecco.
- The word corpetto shares the same root as corpo, which is the ancestor of the English word 'corps' used in military contexts.
- In the context of traditional Italian folk costumes, a corpetto is often heavily embroidered to signal the wearer's regional identity.
Examples in context
- Mi scusi signore, ha un gilet da abbinare al suo completo?Excuse me sir, do you have a vest to match your suit?
- Posso offrirti una giacca senza maniche per completare il tuo outfit?May I offer you a vest to complete your outfit?
- Mi sto mettendo uno smanicato perché fa caldo.I'm putting on a vest because it's hot.
- Hai presente quel giubbino che si indossa sopra una camicia? È un tipo di gilet.You know that little jacket you wear over a shirt? That's a type of vest.
- Il panciotto è di seta nera.The vest is made of black silk.
- Indossa un panciotto elegante sotto la giacca.He is wearing an elegant vest under the jacket.
- Mi piace molto il tuo panciotto.I really like your vest.
Example conversation
Sofia and Matteo are getting ready for a formal wedding.
- MatteoSofia, che ne pensi di questo panciotto?Sofia, what do you think of this vest?
- SofiaÈ molto bello, Matteo, ti sta bene.It is very beautiful, Matteo, it suits you well.
- MatteoGrazie, lo indosserò per la cerimonia.Thank you, I will wear it for the ceremony.
- SofiaSarai sicuramente molto elegante.You will certainly be very elegant.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vest” translations and entries panciotto, gilè, corpetto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries corpetto, gilè, panciotto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
