ovest
/ˈɔ.vest/
The English phrase west is translated into Italian as ovest. Wiktionary also lists occidente and ponente.
Meaning: compass point (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| ovest | /ˈɔ.vest/ |
| occidente | /ot.t͡ʃiˈdɛn.te/ |
| ponente | /poˈnɛn.te/ |
Italian uses different words for west depending on whether you are discussing a compass direction, a geopolitical concept or a poetic description of the sunset.
Which one should you use?
ovest is the neutral term used for the cardinal direction on a compass. occidente is used specifically when referring to the Western world or the geopolitical concept of 'the West'. ponente is a literary term often used to describe the direction of the setting sun.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When indicating direction, ovest is often preceded by the preposition a or verso. For example, verso ovest means 'towards the west'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word ovest has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable. The IPA is /ˈɔ.vest/.
Did you know?
- The standard word for west, ovest, is actually an etymological mistake. It originated from an incorrect reading of the French word ouest, which itself came from the Old English 'west'.
- The word ponente is often used in Italy to describe a specific warm wind blowing from the west, rather than just a point on a map.
- The word ovest has a distant relative in the word 'vespro', which refers to 'vespers' or evening prayers. Both share a connection to the onset of evening.
Examples in context
- Tom andò a ovest.Tom went west.This sentence shows the use of ovest for a direction.Tatoeba #1260018 by Guybrush88, translation #1140875 by CK
- Si diriga verso ovest.Head west.This sentence demonstrates how to give a direction using ovest.Tatoeba #8633251 by Guybrush88, translation #8102688 by CK
- La mia casa è ad ovest.My house is west.This sentence shows how to indicate a location relative to a direction using ovest.Tatoeba #13172597 by Guybrush88, translation #9145827 by rafaeldejesus8199
- Domani dobbiamo andare verso ovest per raggiungere la spiaggia.Tomorrow we have to go towards the west to reach the beach.
- 50 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Chiara are looking at a map during a hike.
- FrancescoIl sole tramonta a ovest.The sun sets in the west.
- ChiaraQuindi dobbiamo andare verso ovest.So we must go towards the west.
- FrancescoSì, è la nostra direzione.Yes, it is our direction.
- ChiaraSeguiamo il sentiero a ovest.Let's follow the path to the west.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “west” translations and entries ovest, occidente, ponente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries occidente, ovest, ponente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
