salvietta
/salˈvjet.ta/
The Italian word for washcloth is salvietta.
A salvietta is a cloth used to wash. If you want to specify that you are referring to a sponge or terrycloth washcloth, you can use the phrase salvietta di spugna.
Meaning: cloth used to wash (noun)
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between different types of cloths: salvietta refers to a small washcloth, whereas asciugamano refers to a larger towel used for drying.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of salvietta is salviette.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /salˈvjet.ta/.
Did you know?
- The word salvietta shares its roots with the English word 'serve', as it originally described a cloth used to 'serve' guests at a table.
- While salvietta means 'washcloth' in a bathroom context, it is also the standard word for a disposable 'wet wipe' or 'baby wipe' in Italian pharmacies and stores.
- In a dining context, a salvietta refers to a small napkin, whereas the larger table napkin is called a tovagliolo.
Examples in context
- Mi serve una salvietta per la faccia.I need a washcloth for my face.
- Hai una salvietta pulita in bagno?Do you have a clean washcloth in the bathroom?
- Ho lasciato la salvietta bagnata sul bordo del lavandino.I left the wet washcloth on the edge of the sink.
Example conversation
In a shared bathroom during the morning routine.
- MatteoMartina, dove hai messo la mia salvietta?Martina, where did you put my washcloth?
- MartinaÈ sul ripiano sopra il lavandino, Matteo.It is on the shelf above the sink, Matteo.
- MatteoAh, eccola qui. Grazie mille.Ah, here it is. Thanks a lot.
- MartinaPrego, non dimenticare di usarne una pulita.You're welcome, don't forget to use a clean one.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry salvietta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries salvietta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
