tergicristallo
The English phrase "windscreen wiper" is tergicristallo in Italian.
tergicristallo refers to the device on a vehicle used to clear rain or snow from the windshield.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound made of tergi- (from the verb tergere, meaning to wipe or clean) and cristallo (meaning crystal or glass).
How does it change in a sentence?
tergicristallo is a masculine noun, so it is used with the article il (il tergicristallo). In the plural form, tergicristalli, only the second part of the compound changes to indicate multiple wipers.
Did you know?
- The root of tergicristallo is the Latin word tergere, which also gave English the word 'detergent'. Both words share the same origin of wiping or cleaning a surface.
- While tergicristallo is common, the verb it is based on, tergere, is almost never used in daily conversation. To say they are wiping a table, an Italian would use pulire or asciugare instead.
- In many Italian regions, if you ask for a 'cristallo' in a shop, you might be directed to a jeweler rather than an auto parts store.
Examples in context
- Dovresti cambiare le spazzole tergicristallo della tua macchina, sono ormai consumate.You should change the windscreen wipers of your car, they are worn out.
- I tergicristalli non funzionano.The windscreen wipers are not working.
- Il tergicristallo non funziona bene.The windscreen wiper is not working well.
- Devi cambiare il tergicristallo destro.You need to change the right windscreen wiper.
- Ho sentito un rumore dal tergicristallo.I heard a noise from the windscreen wiper.
Example conversation
Martina and Alessandro are looking at the car during a rainstorm.
- MartinaAlessandro, il tergicristallo fa un rumore strano.Alessandro, the windscreen wiper is making a strange noise.
- AlessandroHai ragione, sembra quasi rotto.You are right, it seems almost broken.
- MartinaPossiamo ripararlo subito?Can we fix it immediately?
- AlessandroSì, ma dobbiamo prima comprare un pezzo nuovo.Yes, but we have to buy a new part first.
