urlare
/urˈla.re/
The English phrase yelling is translated into Italian as urlare.
The verb urlare emphasizes a higher degree of intensity, often associated with screaming and can be used interchangeably with gridare. You may also encounter other verbs for similar actions: gridare is the most general and common verb for yelling, strepitare carries the idea of making a loud noise or clamor and is often associated with yelling out of agitation or dissatisfaction and sbraitare refers to shouting or bellowing with excessive force, typically accompanied by strong body movements. If you want to refer to a yell or a scream as a noun, use urlo.
Which one should you use?
While urlare often implies a piercing or high-pitched scream, gridare is a more general term for shouting or yelling.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of urlare is urlato.
How do you pronounce it?
The word urlare has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /urˈla.re/.
Did you know?
- The expression urlare a squarciagola means to yell or sing at the top of one's lungs, literally referring to 'ripping' the throat.
- While 'yelling' in English is often just loud speech, the Italian urlare is etymologically linked to the sound of a wolf or an owl howling in the night.
- While urlare means yelling, the noun urlo is used in the phrase urlo di dolore to describe a primal scream of agony in Italian art and literature.
Examples in context
- Tom iniziò a urlare.Tom started yelling.This sentence shows how to use urlare to describe someone starting to yell.Tatoeba #2834930 by Guybrush88, translation #2238723 by CK
- La smetta di urlare.Stop yelling.This sentence uses urlare in a command to stop yelling.Tatoeba #4564815 by Guybrush88, translation #1841185 by CK
- Sentii qualcuno urlare il mio nome.I heard someone yelling my name.This sentence demonstrates using urlare to describe hearing someone yelling.Tatoeba #7819441 by Guybrush88, translation #2360751 by CK
- La folla ha iniziato ad urlare quando la rock band ha cominciato a suonare.The crowd started yelling when the rock band began playing.
- La persona seduta di fronte a me continuava a strepitare durante tutto il film.The person sitting in front of me kept yelling throughout the entire movie.
- Il professore si mise a sbraitare nel tentativo di mantenere l'ordine in classe.The teacher started yelling to maintain order in the classroom.
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Lorenzo are having a quiet discussion at home.
- ChiaraLorenzo, non è necessario urlare.Lorenzo, there is no need to yell.
- LorenzoScusa, non volevo urlare.Sorry, I didn't mean to yell.
- ChiaraTi prego, evita di urlare con me.Please, avoid yelling at me.
- LorenzoHai ragione, resterò calmo.You are right, I will stay calm.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry urlare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries urlare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
