onda
/ˈon.da/feminine
The English word "wave" (as a moving disturbance or undulation) is onda in Italian.
The term onda refers to a physical wave, such as those found in water or described in physics. For metaphorical waves, such as a surge of emotion or a heat wave, the form ondata is used.
Meaning: moving disturbance, undulation (noun)
Which one should you use?
While onda describes physical waves, ondata is used for a wave or surge of something abstract. When describing motion, ondeggiare is used for the rhythmic, swaying motion of a wave or an object, whereas agitare implies a more violent or disruptive agitation.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
onda is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of onda is /ˈon.da/. It has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the phrase essere sull'onda literally means 'to be on the wave', but it is used idiomatically to describe someone who is currently successful or trending.
- The word onda is a direct relative of the English word 'inundate'. Both derive from the Latin word for wave, describing the action of being overwhelmed by water.
- The Italian word onda shares a common ancestor with the English word 'water', both tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root *wódr̥.
Examples in context
- Quella è l'onda perfetta.That is the perfect wave.This sentence is useful for identifying a perfect onda.Tatoeba #2978537 by Guybrush88, translation #2978411 by Kiepier
- Ci si aspetta un'ondata di calore.A heat wave is expected.This sentence is useful for describing an ondata of heat.Tatoeba #10782673 by Guybrush88, translation #10770506 by AlanF_US
- La luce è un'onda o una particella?Is light a wave or a particle?This sentence is useful for discussing whether light is an onda or a particle.Tatoeba #5708919 by Guybrush88, translation #5318475 by Hybrid
- Un saluto con la manoA wave with the hand
- Mentre passeggio per le strade di Roma, mi saluta sempre facendo un cenno con la mano.While I stroll through the streets of Rome, he always greets me with a wave.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Francesco are standing on the beach watching the sea.
- SofiaGuarda che onda grande!Look at that big wave!
- FrancescoSì, è davvero alta.Yes, it is really high.
- SofiaSpero che l'onda non ci bagni.I hope the wave doesn't soak us.
- FrancescoSpostiamoci un po' più indietro.Let's move a bit further back.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wave” translations and entries onda, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries onda, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
