senza
/ˈsɛn.t͡sa/
The Italian word for without is senza.
senza is the most common and versatile term in Italian for expressing the concept of without.
How does it change in a sentence?
The way you use the word depends on what follows it. When senza is followed directly by a noun, you do not use the preposition di (for example, senza zucchero). However, when using senza with a personal pronoun, you must use the prepositional form senza di followed by that pronoun (for example, senza di me or senza di te).
How do you pronounce it?
senza is pronounced /ˈsɛn.tsa/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- When Italians want to say someone is 'homeless', they use the word senzatetto, which literally translates to 'without roof'.
- The Italian word senza is a linguistic hybrid. It formed by merging the Latin word sine meaning 'without' and the word absentia meaning 'in the absence of'.
- In Italian, you can use senza to create a 'double negative' for emphasis. Saying non senza is a common literary way to say 'not without' or 'certainly'.
Examples in context
- Vai senza di me!Go without me!This sentence demonstrates the use of senza with the pronoun 'me'.Tatoeba #2846150 by Guybrush88, translation #2146901 by Lars224
- Vai senza di noi.Go without us.This sentence demonstrates the use of senza with the pronoun 'noi'.Tatoeba #12393431 by Guybrush88, translation #8919853 by CK
- Ci va senza di me.You go there without me.Tatoeba #1583077 by Guybrush88, translation #1142898 by CM
- 1883 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Sofia are discussing what to order for dinner.
- AlessandroVuoi la pizza con l'aglio?Do you want the pizza with garlic?
- SofiaNo, preferisco la pizza senza aglio.No, I prefer the pizza without garlic.
- AlessandroVa bene, chiedo senza aglio.All right, I'll ask for it without garlic.
- SofiaGrazie, Alessandro!Thank you, Alessandro!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry senza, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries senza, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
