How to Say "Watch" in Italian

orologio

/o.roˈlɔ.d͡ʒo/masculine

The English word "watch" (referring to a timepiece) is translated into Italian as orologio. Wiktionary also lists cipolla and orologio da tasca.

Meaning: portable or wearable timepiece (noun)

Ways to say it

“watch” in Italian
Italian	IPA	Note
orologio	/o.roˈlɔ.d͡ʒo/	masculine
cipolla	/t͡ʃiˈpol.la/	feminine
orologio da tasca	/o.roˈlɔ.d͡ʒo da ˈtas.ka/ (word by word)	masculine

The word 'orologio' refers to both a wristwatch and a wall clock.

What does it mean word for word?

The term orologio da tasca literally translates to "watch for the pocket".

Which one should you use?

While orologio is the standard term for any clock or watch, orologio da tasca specifically denotes a pocket watch. Additionally, cipolla is a feminine noun used for a watch.

Related words

How does it change in a sentence?

The word orologio is a masculine noun. Its plural form is orologi.

How do you pronounce it?

The word is pronounced /o.roˈlɔ.dʒo/. It has four syllables, with the stress on the third syllable.

Did you know?

The word cipolla for a watch literally means 'onion'. It is used because the rounded shape of an old pocket watch resembles the bulb of an onion.
The term orologio is built from the Greek word for 'hour', specifically ὡρολόγιον.

Examples in context

Non è un orologio.
It's not a watch.
The first sentence shows how to negate the use of orologio.
Tatoeba #710688 by Guybrush88, translation #710677 by CM
È l'orologio di Tom.
That's Tom's watch.
The second sentence shows how to use orologio to indicate possession.
Tatoeba #3838623 by Guybrush88, translation #2235919 by CK
Mi diede un orologio.
He gave me a watch.
The third sentence shows the use of orologio as a direct object.
Tatoeba #1246557 by Guybrush88, translation #297621 by CK
Ciao, guarda il mio orologino nuovo!
Hey, check out my new little watch!
482 more sentences on Tatoeba

Example conversation

Matteo and Martina are at a jewelry store.

Martina

Questo orologio è molto bello.
This watch is very beautiful.
Matteo

Sì, l'orologio di quel marchio è fantastico.
Yes, that brand's watch is fantastic.
Martina

Quanto costa questo orologio?
How much does this watch cost?
Matteo

È un orologio molto costoso.
It is a very expensive watch.

Sources

Wiktionary, “watch” translations and entries orologio, cipolla, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (orologio, da, tasca) and can differ in connected speech.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries cipolla, da, orologio, tasca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏

How to Say “Watch” in Italian